Like the Freshney...
I've looked at this river dozens of times when I've been working out that way and never yet seen anyone fishing it in the conventional manner.
Odd nice carp mind, where it goes under the railway line, but I can think of fewer places in this country I rather not fish compared with this one.
And while I'm on, will someone tell me what's the point of employing hundreds of folk at the Environment Agency to spend 40 hours a week driving round in circles at God knows what expense just checking licenses? Is that a productive use of our license fees?
How does that fit in with their mandate to 'adopt, maintain, improve'?
The Agency does a fantastic job considering the red tape and budgetary restrictions it is bound by. Bankside bobbies, except on properly planned blitzes is a complete waste of money and a huge risk to the personnel involved.
After all, they're not exactly out looking for murderers and bank robbers, are they? How many of those they catch without licenses actually pay the fines? Wonder what the stats are on the criminal's profiles. Very few bank managers and financiers, I guess. More likely to be your dole scroungers, educationally challengedand migrants.
And because they nab a few happless souls, does this mean license sales see a dramatic upturn? Of course not.
How many thousands of miles of river, stream, brook, canal, reservoir, pond, lake and gravel pit bank is there to patrol, and then add the thousands of commercial waters. And how often should they visit each? Do the math. It simply boils down to a question of honour. Are you law abiding or a criminal? Simple as that.
If we want to get really serious, make it a law that you have to show a license to buy tackle, bait or fishing permits. Problem solved. And don't give me that old chestnut thatit's not the responsibility of the fisheryor tackle shop owner. Try buying bullets or a handgun and see how far you get.
If you want to make money out of angling and anglers, be prepared to do your duty. And don't say it's an infringement of your rights or an inconvenience. I show my bank card each time I go to Tesco's and it's no hardship at all.
Of course, the EA could get really smart and issue a license in the form of a credit card accepted by all major retailers and fisheries.
JOB SORTED!