• You need to be a registered member of Barbel Fishing World to post on these forums. Some of the forums are hidden from non-members. Please refer to the instructions on the ‘Register’ page for details of how to join the new incarnation of BFW...

Fishing program On Sunday ?

Mark Anderson

Mark Anderson

Super Moderator
Staff member
Hi men ,

Did anyome hear Martin Bowler on the Talk Sport fishing program that on between 6-8am on Sunday ?. Nigiel Botherway was talking to Martin Bowler , about his book that he is writting , and a new film about the 4 seasons of fishing . I was listening as I was driving the car with Sue .

He then got onto the Angling Trust , their faliers over the last 9 months , and the future of angling . He spoke with passion about everyone on heres pastime , and how he feels let down with the way things have gone with the AT . He was fed up with being regarded as a second class citizen, and pointed out that we are the only people who pay royaly to go out in the countryside .I found myself nodding to the things he was saying , and when I turnned to say that to Sue , she was crying , crying . She shook her head at me , and did not have to say a word .


Hatter
 
No comment from me about Sue's response, Mark, but all this hard-done-by, paying "royally" stuff... Puh-leeze. We coarse fishers pay virtually nothing and expect everybody from Downing Street downwards to jump to it when we're the least bit unhappy about whatever we're feeling unhappy about this week. Now, if I was paying several thousand a year for my trout-fishing beat, or the £50,000 to £75,000 per year (twenty years ago!) that one man I knew was paying for his "portfolio" of choice weeks on top-salmon rivers, then I might feel justified about any desire to start shouting and to expect a satisfactory answer.
 
Last edited:
The total revenue, even if perfectly spent, from our rod licences is still only a drop in the ocean of money that is required to make us and our waters sweet.

PS - There may be a lot us paying 23 quid, but, even then, it's still a case of paying peanuts and getting monkeys.
 
Last edited:
Hi men ,

Quote -Now, if I was paying several thousand a year for my trout-fishing beat, or the £50,000 to £75,000 per year (twenty years ago!) that one man I knew was paying for his "portfolio" of choice weeks on top-salmon rivers, then I might feel justified about any desire to start shouting and to expect a satisfactory answer.

Cant get my head around that paul ?. Are you saying if you have a bit of money , and pay alot for you your fishing , then you have more of a right to complain ?.

Your prob right about the money paid in for rod licences , but at least we pay in , and as its a tax , you should have a right to complain ?.

Hatter
 
No. What I am saying is that money buys you excellent river management (and the political clout to make problems disappear). As coarse fishers we expect to pay little, yet increasingly demand much - expect much more than any national organization, private or state-run, can deliver. Now, I have very little money to throw at my fishing and, like most people, try to make the best of the very average stuff that is available to me, but when I hear people who fish the magnificent, beautifully managed, lightly fished and pretty pricey Longford Estate waters of the Hants Avon sounding off about how bad things are and virtually inciting the mass of fishers to get angry about their unhappy lot ... well........................
 
Hi men ,

Thats where the AT have missread the situation . With their promotional newsletter they have been tageting the " Gaurdian readers ", this was said at a meeting , when they should have been targeting everyone . I agree with Martin , and feel there is a lack of spine in the leadership in the AT , no real focus on things , and the layout of the newsletter is more like a croporate buiness update .

There seems like another re-launch is likely , perhaps needed , they have to get a message across to anglers at all levels , and should focus on that . They should attend all fishing meeting , they should mail shot in the weekly / monthly papers / mags , they need a sucsess that we can relate to , and listen to avarage anglers .

How about them registering on here ?, and other sites, that would test the new atmosphere .

Hatter
 
Last edited:
The Chairman on Tuesday


Subject: "the new atmosphere"


Oh definitely - angry, feeling sorry for oneself, scapegoat-seeking and revenge-seeking. In two words, vicious and ugly.

I have written to Mark Lloyd and his sandal-eating Gurnard-wearers today to suggest not a re-launch but a re-brand, a re-brand that will take the Trust into the territory that I have taken the Hamsters in recent years (modelled, I might add, on those non-nonsense, realistic, little English sterling sorts who get a big hearing in Dagenham and Barking).

"Only way to go, Mark, my lad, it's the way the wind is blowing now - blowing ill, blowing nowhere except up its own jacksie, but blowing, blowing hard. Better start blowing along with it, I believe, my boy, but just make sure that you have a rural retreat well away from the terrible mess that it causes, as I do."


As ever,

B.B.
 
Hi men ,

What does that mean then Paul ? . Are we not aloud to raise concerns over our future fishing with the bodys that we pay to represent us ?. Be that the EA , or the AT ?.


Hatter
 
Mean? If anything, it means that anglers should start thinking positively and acting constructively, as many of the better riparian owners and fishery bods already do - working with outfits like the EA and the conservationists, not antagonizing them by baying for blood some fishers now feel is their due but will never be allowed to shed. In short, to make a start on repairing our own roof, not forever blaming the neighbours.
 
Looks like Pete Reading and the R&C of the BS are on the right track then.
Good news.
Rich.:)
 
Hi men ,

Repairing our own roof , I agree , but if it was not for anglers , those things living below the water would have nobody to stand up for them . I feel we need a strong figure head at the front of the AT , even if its only that , and only then to attract more members , more revenue , because as you pointed out Paul , that gives you more clout .

Hatter
 
I joined, pre Trent polution , the media coverage of that event promted an increase of members by nearly a third, but still, depending who,s figures you believe, at best 1% of rod licence buyers. Apathy rules, unless that can be changed, then the AT is heading the way of the Dodo! It needs to seriously boost its profile, the weeklies were full of it prelaunch, but now barely a mention, for a new representative body for all anglers, its lost me, and I,am a member!!!!!!
peter
 
It still all comes down to induvidual anglers....and induvidually we are terrible at helping ourselves.

I honestly think like Paul we have to make the cross over with mainstream conservation....Des taylor dangersouly disagrees with this and says stand up for your rights and bash the otter over the head basically f*** them all if they are not anglers.....then says join the RSPB to and understand and be part of their logic...........he's lost me!

Me...it dont sit right and I enjoy all aspects of being an angler even if it means being a detriment to my angling simply because there are less bigger fish to be caught.

I just want my local bits of river to be healthy, I want to have my voice heard, I want reasonable answers and action plans for the future through the EA and Angling Trust.....but where are the Angling Trust on regional consultatives, that's where they need to be. Communication through them will be critical and it's almost like we'll have to ask them to be part of it rather them being part of us....very odd?

All the same I still beleive and have to be positive...just like you Mark and Sue, it's in my blood and one way or another I sincerely hope it does all move forward positively.

So what is life like without fishing ?

One thing is for sure I do not know...does anyone on here no otherwise or would like to contemplate that?

Cheers
Jason
 
Hi men ,

Jas , what you have done off your own back could almost be used as a blueprint for other anglers/clubs to follow . Ever thought of just putting it down , the order you did it in , who you got involved etc ?.

If the AT had done just what you have done for the Cherwell , think of the copy in the angling papers ?. My views are still that we need a stronger person at the helm of the AT , or those who are advising him have not been listened to , as they seem to be slow in reaching the grass roots of anglers .

There is no one right view on the way forward , but we can all have our views , otherwise where would we be ----- yes , France .


hatter
 
Rich Frampton said:
Looks like Pete Reading and the R&C of the BS are on the right track then.
Good news.
Rich.:)
Click to expand...

You don't need to worry Richard as a few on BFW and outsiders have a more caring attitude to the protection of Barbel, barbel habitat and welfare, than the Barbel Society and its committee's negative stance by not supporting and joining Angling Trust and Fish Legal.
With not consulting the BS general membership or giving them a say on this issue, and knowing the chairman's and committees personal past and present vendata's or grievancies to certain individuals in the AT is a disgrace.
However, The Barbel Specialists and the Barbel Catchers Club are both members and have given the AT/FL their full support, so really the barbel issues will be in safe hands and represented without your help.
I did happen to listen to Martin Bowler on Fisherman's Blues on Sunday and i agree he was highlighting some negatives, but the overall number of callers were quite postive at this stage in the progress and development of the AT/FL.
 
Last edited:
Hi men ,
Yes Ray , I took part in the overwhelming supporting vote at the barbel Specilist meeting . BUT to be honest its a no brainer aint it ?. They may not be tearing up trees in their first year , and are failing , the fish legal side of thing is worth the support alone . I joined as a individual member , as it need them alongside clubs etc.

Hatter
 
Personally speaking, once it is off the ground and sorted, then it will work. Things will be added to improve and make it work better and some negatives will be removed no doubt over time.
There are a lot of people out there who just don't want the AT/FL to work for their own reasons.
Having been to a local angling club/AT meeting with Mike Lloyd present, i found his talk very positive. He admitted that they have not got it completely right as yet, but it will get there in time if given the chance and support.(in so many words)
Local area AT representatives are being recruited around the country at this time to highlight more local issues and problems.
I noted that the audience questions were more off a personal/club nature and aimed at 'what can the AT for do for me/us to help or stop the problem, now'.
Although the questions were important and relevant, i think it came across as, 'if I give you £20, can the cure my/our problem immediately'!
In my opinion, especially at this stage with the AT, the real question should be reversed in that 'What can I/we do to get the Angling Trust on its feet and help make Angling a powerful body and seriously recognised to where they are listened to, similar to the RSPB,etc.
Once the AT/FL is at full strength and supported by the majority of anglers and clubs then the problems have a better chance to be sorted at a more higher and positive level.
The AT/Fish Legal need to be given time to succeed and not rushed or discounted by negatives.
 
Last edited:
Hi men ,

Good post Ray , but people asking what the AT can do for their club is human nature . I have emailed them a few times offering support , and help in anyway possible . The help they need is membership .

Hatter
 
Hi men ,

And perhaps Martin did comment more on the negatives , but again human nature will dictate that . People will always look at the best , and worst of things in a subject , but he spoke with concern , possibly saying what alot of members are thinking . The true test comes in not what they have / have not done , but on the day they want you to renew your membership , and how many people do !.

hatter
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top