Graham Whatmore
Senior Member
If these canoeists showed some consideration for anglers on the river, and lets be honest not a lot of them do, then it wouldn't be a problem but most of them seem hellbent on charging all over the river splashing and shouting and show absolutely no consideration whatsoever. They earn the backlash that anglers sometimes give them by catapulting 'objects' at them or even worse in a few instances.
Over the years I've encountered all sorts of problems as a result of boats, even water skiers on the Trent (legally by the way) charging up the river at high speed and washing your gear away if you weren't careful. There is a speed limit on all inland waterways and few boat users abide by them but when did you last hear of anyone being charged for doing so (excepting the Fens). Misusing our waterways should be enforced and if they had a licence, that they paid for, then a penalty system plus fines like road users have might deter them somewhat.
Over the years I've encountered all sorts of problems as a result of boats, even water skiers on the Trent (legally by the way) charging up the river at high speed and washing your gear away if you weren't careful. There is a speed limit on all inland waterways and few boat users abide by them but when did you last hear of anyone being charged for doing so (excepting the Fens). Misusing our waterways should be enforced and if they had a licence, that they paid for, then a penalty system plus fines like road users have might deter them somewhat.