Monk.
In answer to your first question, You ask, what if you wanted to cast under the trees on the opposite bank were there is no swims?
I am assuming that you mean there are no swims on either side of the trees where you want to cast to.
But there will be swims somewhere on that far bank, where anglers on that same side could cast fairly close to, even though they could not get under the trees. You would still be fishing in the other anglers area.
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Your second.</u>
It would be enforced by the bailiffs discretion.
As for a fish doing a runner to the opposite side, that is fair game.
Matty.
In a perfect situation yours would be the ideal solution. But alas, yours is only for the followers of the likes of Enid Blyton.
Kieth.
Typical gorilla tactics for the non thinking angler I'm afraid. And this is where somebody like me steps in.
You all want to do what you think is right. It has been shown on this thread already that none of you are capable of reaching a solution that suits everybody. So again the decision has to be made for you.
This is my take on it-:
The half way rule should be enforced whether you are the only person on the lake or not. Take the old addage, give em an inch and they'll take a yard. Before you know where you are, people are making their own rules up, and this simply can not be allowed.
Let's have none of this ah but, yeah but, no but bank side philosophy. There are plenty more reasons why the half way rule should be adhered to at all times. One of them being intimidation to a fellow angler. It is quite simple really if you are on the wrong side of the lake, then simply move swims. If the other side of the lake is already full of anglers, then tough, get your ar$es in gear a lot earlier in the day.