Jeff Woodhouse
Moaning Marlow Meldrew
I can't remember now how many years I've been saying this, but we all think we are 'brothers' of the angle' as someone once said. Yet there are so many things that divide us.
Take for example the close season. I for one am totally against it and would love nothing better than to see it rid of, but I would not be against local groups setting up their own close seasons on particualr stretches of river that they feel would be vulnerable. Now on this subject, Fred Bonney and I (and some others) will argue until the day is long and never agree, but it is a major issue that divides us. (I'll come back to this one at the end.)
Then there are those anglers who use keepnets and many that don't and would never condone their use even though they are proven to do no damage if used correctly or very little harm even if abused slightly. Just another example and some of those in favour of the close season will be split on this issue.
Then you could ask about barbed or barbless hooks. Some swear that a barbed hook doesn't move around as much and therefore causes less damage and others will contradict that. Whatever, it's another issue that would divide those in favour of keenets and the close season and those not in favour of either. So now you would have eight groups of anglers.
Keep going with different issues and you will end up with many thousands of groups of anglers, some will agree with others on some issues and disagree with them on others.
But let's just looks at that statement again - Brothers of the Angle. That is how we should appear to the public and certainly to Government. And yet when after many years of split ideologies and different groups/camps in which we placed ourselves, we get an opportunity for ONE BODY to fight on our behalf, a lot want to shut it out, even shut it down.
I can still understand those that might have difficulties finding the £25 fee to join up, but I am increasingly finding it difficult to understand those who want to fight battles against outside interests and influences and yet still not wanting to join up. Isn't it time to put aside and petty squabbles, past history, differences between one group and another and present a unified crusade to those that matter? Shouldn't we be seeing that the one organisation we have dreamed of having since angling became a passtime be successful and recognised as a national institution*?
(*It is anyway whether you like it or not)
Now to my original issue, the close season. You see, people like myself and Fred could have many differences of opinion, not just the close season and both of us very set in our ways, but it doesn't prevent the two of us from joining Angling Trust and fighting together. We met each other just a few weeks ago when Fred was lucky (he would say skill, I'm sure ) to catch a couple of barbel on our bit and we get on well. We put aside our differences simply because we enjoy what we do - FISHING! Furthermore, we want to see our fishing improved and isn't that what the Trust is about?
Yes, this is a plug, but more than that it's a plea to put down your swords and poisoned pens (keyboards, whatever), stop this internicine war. If you still feel you can't or don't want to join then fine, but drop all the anti-publicity towards it. That doesn't do anyone any good and if there's some good news coming out of the Trust, like the recent blocking of the hydro on the Trent, leave it to people to judge for themselves and make their own minds up as to whether or not to join. And don't jump in when someone, whoever it is, encourages them to do so.
A bit of peace and harmony, please. (If we get it I shall even remove my signature in respect, although it was written tongue-in-cheek.) I promise I will not post any further smug or insulting remarks unless it is in retaliation. How long this lasts depends on..... :wh
Take for example the close season. I for one am totally against it and would love nothing better than to see it rid of, but I would not be against local groups setting up their own close seasons on particualr stretches of river that they feel would be vulnerable. Now on this subject, Fred Bonney and I (and some others) will argue until the day is long and never agree, but it is a major issue that divides us. (I'll come back to this one at the end.)
Then there are those anglers who use keepnets and many that don't and would never condone their use even though they are proven to do no damage if used correctly or very little harm even if abused slightly. Just another example and some of those in favour of the close season will be split on this issue.
Then you could ask about barbed or barbless hooks. Some swear that a barbed hook doesn't move around as much and therefore causes less damage and others will contradict that. Whatever, it's another issue that would divide those in favour of keenets and the close season and those not in favour of either. So now you would have eight groups of anglers.
Keep going with different issues and you will end up with many thousands of groups of anglers, some will agree with others on some issues and disagree with them on others.
But let's just looks at that statement again - Brothers of the Angle. That is how we should appear to the public and certainly to Government. And yet when after many years of split ideologies and different groups/camps in which we placed ourselves, we get an opportunity for ONE BODY to fight on our behalf, a lot want to shut it out, even shut it down.
I can still understand those that might have difficulties finding the £25 fee to join up, but I am increasingly finding it difficult to understand those who want to fight battles against outside interests and influences and yet still not wanting to join up. Isn't it time to put aside and petty squabbles, past history, differences between one group and another and present a unified crusade to those that matter? Shouldn't we be seeing that the one organisation we have dreamed of having since angling became a passtime be successful and recognised as a national institution*?
(*It is anyway whether you like it or not)
Now to my original issue, the close season. You see, people like myself and Fred could have many differences of opinion, not just the close season and both of us very set in our ways, but it doesn't prevent the two of us from joining Angling Trust and fighting together. We met each other just a few weeks ago when Fred was lucky (he would say skill, I'm sure ) to catch a couple of barbel on our bit and we get on well. We put aside our differences simply because we enjoy what we do - FISHING! Furthermore, we want to see our fishing improved and isn't that what the Trust is about?
Yes, this is a plug, but more than that it's a plea to put down your swords and poisoned pens (keyboards, whatever), stop this internicine war. If you still feel you can't or don't want to join then fine, but drop all the anti-publicity towards it. That doesn't do anyone any good and if there's some good news coming out of the Trust, like the recent blocking of the hydro on the Trent, leave it to people to judge for themselves and make their own minds up as to whether or not to join. And don't jump in when someone, whoever it is, encourages them to do so.
A bit of peace and harmony, please. (If we get it I shall even remove my signature in respect, although it was written tongue-in-cheek.) I promise I will not post any further smug or insulting remarks unless it is in retaliation. How long this lasts depends on..... :wh