The search for free waters... I had often read about how an angler politely approached a landowner and was granted exclusive access to an unfished gem. So when I lived in East Lancs, and regularly passed a gorgeous little lake, over the county border near Skipton, I decided to try. I'd never seen a soul by or near the water, by the way. I smartened myself up, put on a jacket and tie, walked up to the farmhouse door, knocked and explained my mission to the bloke who came out, stressing my harmless intentions, angling credentials, and hope to be allowed to visit infrequently. “Nah” he said, already closing the door, “We keep it for us own use.”
Happened that once me and my mate fished a small free stretch of river and decided to try our luck over through the gate of the next field. A farmer came over and told us it was his land and we were not allowed. So we apologized, explained that we were responsible anglers etc and had a bit of a chat with him. He said tell you what, I have never known whats in there so you can fish it, just you two mind as long as you let me know what you catch. About two miles of stream/river to our selves.
Same happened on another stretch of farm land, the farmer came up one day and was a bit angry but it was mainly because kids had left litter a few times before that so he didn't want anglers on his land. I was very apologetic and explained I was a responsible angler who would never do that ect etc and had a nice chat with him. he relented and gave me permission. I fished that for about 20 years now and I nice few roach among other things.
I suppose its luck of the draw.
I fished a another stretch of farm land for years, never met the farmer in person although he passes in his buggy now and then but he never says anything. I only learned this was free fishing through searching and asking. Actually it was a local angler who put me onto it so they do tell sometimes, no one ever fishes it hardly, often its just me on about 1/4 mile of fishing and its fair fishing.
The thing is no one puts up a sign saying "free fishing", I have never seen one in all my life. So you have to ask, search, push your luck a bit sometimes.
So that's my advice to nottskev, don't give up, keep asking, searching and looking and you will meet lots of dead ends but you only have to get lucky once or twice and you could be set up for years; worth the effort.
