Hi guys,
Just wanted your opinions on something..
within the past 2 weeks, I have on 3 seperate occasions, seen people fishing my local river..
The first time was about 2 weeks ago, a group of maybe 6 lads, about 13/14 yeas old.. I started off by approaching them and asking if they were aware it was the close season, "yes" they told me.. "why are you fishing it then?" I asked, to which I was asked if this particular stretch of river was mine, emplying I had ni right to ask them why they were breaking the law.. after a minute or so of recieving verbal abuse and threats, I promptly went home n phoned the bailiff, who told me he would go down, but I dont know whether they were still there or not..
Yesterday (wednesday) was a hot day down here in the SE, so after tending to some business, I decided to go buy a pint of maggots, go to the river armed with specs and a catopolt and try n spot some chub on the surface.. After walking along maybe half a mile, I spotted some foriegn guys with a fishing rod, not in the water but on the bank.. I thought about shouting across the river at them.. but it looked more like they were more interested in sunbathing rather than fishing..
Then after spending I think about an hour or so, maybe 2, feeding my fave chub swim, all the time seeing maybe 10 or so chub taking maggots, thinking to myself dang I wish I was allowed to fish for these puppies.. I was then walking home along the river again and came across a group of 3 orientals, who were fishing.. Again, I promptly told them the rules etc n explained what would happen if they were caught. they said ok n they understand n that they didnt know, so I said ok n walked on, went round a long corner to where I could see them again, and they had started fishing again.. I thought to myself, maybe they didnt understand, they didnt speak good english so who knows.. I dont want the bailiff to think Im some tattle tail etc etc.. so I didnt do anything.. then again later that night, about 9 or so, I was a group in the distance fishing on some private land behind some flats, I was in a hurry to be somewhere though so I didnt stop..
The thoughts crossed my mind though.. I fully expect those kids who knew it was the close season to be punished, they were out of line fishing when they knew they shouldnt.. but these other people, the forgieners that have a good chance of just not knowing our rules, should they be punished.. ? I agree they should do their homework before they do something.. but alot of people wouldnt think something so innoquous(bad spelling?) like fishing would need liscences n stuff n would have laws n season n such..
I myself fall guilty of ignorance atleast once, I didnt know I needed rod license when I started fishing, on the first day of the season I got busted by an EA bailiff and I was fined ?90.. first offence ever with the law.. but I was still punished.. quite rightly too I think.
But I ask myself, should these people be dealt with the same.. should I hae phoned the bailiff.. I even thought to myself, if these people can do it, and Im the only one who sees them and will say anything to them, why shouldnt I grab a rod n stuff n go down for a couple hours if I want.. but I quickly dismissed that thought..
your opinions on whether these, without being racist, usually forgein people should be punished with a fine or something just because of a little ignorance..
Or even if I should bother phoning the bailiff every time I see someone fishing when they shouldnt..
Just wanted your opinions on something..
within the past 2 weeks, I have on 3 seperate occasions, seen people fishing my local river..
The first time was about 2 weeks ago, a group of maybe 6 lads, about 13/14 yeas old.. I started off by approaching them and asking if they were aware it was the close season, "yes" they told me.. "why are you fishing it then?" I asked, to which I was asked if this particular stretch of river was mine, emplying I had ni right to ask them why they were breaking the law.. after a minute or so of recieving verbal abuse and threats, I promptly went home n phoned the bailiff, who told me he would go down, but I dont know whether they were still there or not..
Yesterday (wednesday) was a hot day down here in the SE, so after tending to some business, I decided to go buy a pint of maggots, go to the river armed with specs and a catopolt and try n spot some chub on the surface.. After walking along maybe half a mile, I spotted some foriegn guys with a fishing rod, not in the water but on the bank.. I thought about shouting across the river at them.. but it looked more like they were more interested in sunbathing rather than fishing..
Then after spending I think about an hour or so, maybe 2, feeding my fave chub swim, all the time seeing maybe 10 or so chub taking maggots, thinking to myself dang I wish I was allowed to fish for these puppies.. I was then walking home along the river again and came across a group of 3 orientals, who were fishing.. Again, I promptly told them the rules etc n explained what would happen if they were caught. they said ok n they understand n that they didnt know, so I said ok n walked on, went round a long corner to where I could see them again, and they had started fishing again.. I thought to myself, maybe they didnt understand, they didnt speak good english so who knows.. I dont want the bailiff to think Im some tattle tail etc etc.. so I didnt do anything.. then again later that night, about 9 or so, I was a group in the distance fishing on some private land behind some flats, I was in a hurry to be somewhere though so I didnt stop..
The thoughts crossed my mind though.. I fully expect those kids who knew it was the close season to be punished, they were out of line fishing when they knew they shouldnt.. but these other people, the forgieners that have a good chance of just not knowing our rules, should they be punished.. ? I agree they should do their homework before they do something.. but alot of people wouldnt think something so innoquous(bad spelling?) like fishing would need liscences n stuff n would have laws n season n such..
I myself fall guilty of ignorance atleast once, I didnt know I needed rod license when I started fishing, on the first day of the season I got busted by an EA bailiff and I was fined ?90.. first offence ever with the law.. but I was still punished.. quite rightly too I think.
But I ask myself, should these people be dealt with the same.. should I hae phoned the bailiff.. I even thought to myself, if these people can do it, and Im the only one who sees them and will say anything to them, why shouldnt I grab a rod n stuff n go down for a couple hours if I want.. but I quickly dismissed that thought..
your opinions on whether these, without being racist, usually forgein people should be punished with a fine or something just because of a little ignorance..
Or even if I should bother phoning the bailiff every time I see someone fishing when they shouldnt..
