I read the original comments by PAAS, as a member I get the magazine regularly. There are always two sides to every argument, of course.
I think it's very important to apply the 'spirit of the law' as it were, rather than the 'letter of the law'.
I do a lot of night fishing, and much of that involves long stay. For example last year I did 3 seperate week long sessions, and many 2-3 night ones.
The term 'being in immediate control of your rods' which is what PAAS use, is really open to individual interpretation.
For example, the pleasure angler who answers the call of nature. At that precise moment, he's not in control of is rods.
How many float fishermen take their eyes off their float, even for a few seconds? Maybe a kingfisher flies past, maybe a pretty woman walks by, I don't know, there could be many distractions.
Could it be argued at that moment the angler is not in control? What if a fish took the bait and deep hooked itself?
Many times in angling there is a tendency to attack and ultmately ban other forms of angling. Much of it is based on a lack of understanding and even a lack of tolerance towards others.
Night fishing is a classic. Many times it's banned for no other reason than the committee say so. Probably banned by people who have never been night fishing in their lives. That's not a criticism, by the way. Just an observation.
By all means promote responsible angling, but let's be careful that we don't become divisive. Otherwise the issue of night fishing may join a long list that includes keep nets...live baiting...boilies for barbel....