Sorry but having watched both the programmes so far, I did not as an angler take umbrage as to what Griff said about canoeing rights, if it was not for a few brave souls in the 30s we would not have the Right to Access that we have today over much of our beautiful countryside. Anglers do not own the rivers, the Riparian Rights are those of the Landowner, who has the right to decide whatever they want about the usage.
As for canoeists ripping Rede bads of spawned eggs, if the water is that shallow they get out and carry their canoes!
Once again we anglers are acting as sanctimonious individuals who think that they have all the rights to the rivers....WE DO NOT! So let Griff say what he wants, he has that Right!
Personally, I find him eccentric but fascinating and a great guy to talk with!
Only met him the once but really a first rate individual.
I would agree that if a Riparian Owner decides to allow canoe access onto his side of the river, then he has that right. However, if he has already leased the fishing to a club or syndicate then he had better be aware that those leases will, in all probability, not be renewed. Hopefully then the paddlers will make up the financial losses of the Riparian Owners, although I fail to see where they might conjure up the 35k that we pay for our syndicated stretch of the 3 miles of a particular river.
As to paddlers destroying spawning sites, well, if Phil says he has seen this with his own eyes than I for one am inclined not to dispute the fact.
Finally, it is highly disputable that Mr. Jones has any Rights whatsoever to incite others to unruly, dangerous or other behaviour likely to cause a breech of the peace. If proved to have been the instigator then he too would be liable to prosecution.
Unlike you, I have never met the man, (and have only been mildly entertained by some of his programmes) notwithstanding, the man was guilty of less than intelligent comments on National television and has taken the 'flak' accordingly.