Anglers are like ‘trolls’, say canoeists in river row

Canoeists have accused anglers of behaving like “trolls” after being blocked from a private fishery.

They insist a 350-year-old law grants them right of way along the Avon in Christchurch, Dorset.

Fishermen, who have barred the route in a punt boat under a bridge, say they are disturbed up to 150 times a day by the canoeists and have suffered financial losses. One 34-year-old woman said two fishermen filmed her and were “like trolls under the bridge.”

There is a right to paddle on tidal and statutory navigational waters but the Avon does not fall under that category. Campaigners say a 1664 law allows canoeists to roam the waters.