Angling Trust: Should I join?

[Jeff Woodhouse]

Given that we (anglers) are not the only interested parties with respect to the rivers then have the Angling Trust made any approaches to other groups and organisations outside of the fishing world? From my own relatively meager efforts by e-mail I have been very surprised as to the replies I have received that indicate that there would be a strong disagreement, outwith the angling world, to any proposed changes.

I would argue that we, anglers, are the only ones with a very strong interest in rivers and all other waters. I have never heard of the RSPB nor the RSPCA (NE, NT, RTS et al)pursuing a convicted polluter through the Courts for compensation to put right the damage they have done. And of course they would want to support the question of the close season since anything that keeps us bad anglers off the river allowing more room for birdwatching, canoeing, power boats, dog walkers and every other mother and son. You're playing a dangerous game getting these outside organisations involved in our internal politics.

Work with them, perhaps, involve them - NO WAY!

 

[Peter Jacobs]

I would argue that we, anglers, are the only ones with a very strong interest in rivers and all other waters. I have never heard of the RSPB nor the RSPCA (NE, NT, RTS et al)pursuing a convicted polluter through the Courts for compensation to put right the damage they have done. And of course they would want to support the question of the close season since anything that keeps us bad anglers off the river allowing more room for birdwatching, canoeing, power boats, dog walkers and every other mother and son. You're playing a dangerous game getting these outside organisations involved in our internal politics.

Work with them, perhaps, involve them - NO WAY!

You are sort of right Jeff, those organisations have in all probability never got involved in prosecuting a polluter.

Mind you, they have certainly prosecuted people for stealing bird's eggs and trespass.

As to playing a dangerous game?
Not at all, simply using each and every mechanism I can think of in order to maintain the Close Season on our rivers that need more and not less protection.

I think the old saying of the enemy of my enemy is my friend was founded in Sanskrit around the 4th Century BC and has been quoted earlier in this (annual) debate. However that seems to exclude the Principles of the Lesser of Two Evils not to mention the Law of the Excluded Middle . . . . .

That said, and understood (?) I see no sound or logical reason not to work with them

 

[Laurie Harper]

I think I'm right in saying that AT members get free public liability insurance with their membership (will have to check the bumph that came with my card). Very handy of you hook a passer by in the ear while you're casting...

 

[theartist]

The RSPB is huge and the Angling Trust is not so, yet i see far more anglers about than i do birdwatchers. Just goes to show that birdwatchers stick together better than we do which is a shame.

Maybe if a few fluffy toys were given away with membership then the A.T. would get more members

We pay the EA more for our licences because we have to but most that money is going to go on dredging this year, at least the AT funds go back in to what we care about, therefore my £25 goes to that cause too.

 

[loggerhead]

We pay the EA more for our licences because we have to but most that money is going to go on dredging this year,

No, the rod licence money goes direct to the fisheries people. Dredging and other river maintenance comes from elsewhere, but I guess we all pay for it somewhere in our taxes.

Maybe if a few fluffy toys were given away with membership

How about 'Compare-the-Cormorant.com"?

 

[Warden]

The RSPB is huge and the Angling Trust is not so, yet i see far more anglers about than i do birdwatchers. Just goes to show that birdwatchers stick together better than we do which is a shame.

Maybe if a few fluffy toys were given away with membership then the A.T. would get more members

We pay the EA more for our licences because we have to but most that money is going to go on dredging this year, at least the AT funds go back in to what we care about, therefore my £25 goes to that cause too.

could be wrong but I believe the RSPB has a million members paying £27 a year if we supported our sport in such a way the AT would indeed be a force to be reckoned with.

 

[laguna]

How about 'Compare-the-Cormorant.com"?

What does the RSPB think of resident cormorants do you suppose?
anyone?