The Towpath Angler
Our monthly look at the angling scene
OVER the years I have tried to push for a much better and meaningful working relationship between all those organisations that have an impact on fisheries and angling.
Sadly, while there are a few contractual relationships dealing with specific areas, I have not, in truth, seen that much progress generally. Indeed there still seems to be far too much infighting, even competition and jockeying for position.
This of course, does absolutely nothing other than reduce credibility and increase the frustration among the angling public to the point where, now, many now believe we will never see the proverbial united front.
In turn this just gives the doubters, the keyboard warriors, even more ammunition. Speaking as someone who has given almost 50 years as a volunteer to fisheries and angling this is not just highly disappointing but also totally unacceptable.
As you will recall I often point out the ongoing, indeed, increasing issues surrounding unregulated cycling on our towpaths. As I understand the Canal & River Trust may have made a difficult situation even worse in some areas by removing and/or replacing signage.
I am told this seems to favour those minority of cyclists who speed along the towpaths with no concern for anyone else using them. Obviously this situation is still in the early stages but I would hope that it is resolved with the greatest urgency.
As I said last month the need for a full debate on cycling on towpaths nationally is greater than ever if the trust has any expectation of seeing the growth of visits and usage.
While fully supporting the view that our waterways are there for everyone I, like so many, also support the view that all users must recognise the needs of others at all times. During the worst of Covid we saw a significant increase in outdoor activities because it was, generally, seen as safe.
As we moved into more normal times the level of these activities certainly diminished but, perhaps, remain higher than they were pre-Covid. Sadly this has left a legacy of problems not previously experienced.
Probably the principal reason is that some of these new water users are unaware of the need to respect the rights of others although this does not excuse the many who seem to be intransigent at best about such matters.
Pathway for youngsters
Lightening the mood a bit now I have been delighted to read of the continuing success of the Let’s Fish initiative and, in particular, to read the stories of a whole host of youngsters who have passed through the process and have become very successful anglers in their own right.
Without doubt it is vital that angling clubs are part of this process and can offer the youngsters a pathway to develop their skills in whatever branch of the sport they may choose. Indeed many clubs have rivers and stillwaters in addition to canals on their portfolios so the options are almost endless. I guess one, less obvious, measure of the success of Let’s Fish can be seen in similar initiatives, e.g. Let’s Paddle and Let’s Walk, recently introduced by the trust.
I have not heard much news from our waterways in the last few weeks. I know a match on an upstream section of my local Erewash Canal just a week ago was won with three tench and one perch for a total weight of 9lb; very few other fish were caught.
One of my match contacts fished the Trent & Mersey and won his section with just a handful of small roach for 1lb. That said the ever-reliable Shroppie continues to produce and a report from the Kennet & Avon suggests that the fishing is still good in places despite the ongoing mooring issues which still have not been resolved.
My personal results lately have been far from consistent. I have picked up a couple of section wins and twice missed out on a ‘brown envelope’ by one fish. In the past I have spoken about the importance of decisions in match fishing. Just recently I have managed to get into the mindset of fishing to my strengths rather than trying to master, on the hoof, methods I either use rarely or have no real confidence in just because other anglers use them on the venues I fish.
Currently the weather is rather strange with strong, northerly winds and lower than normal temperatures which seem to drop like a stone overnight, none of which is conducive to success on the bank. However it has been very noticeable that the later in the day you fish the more sport improves so an evening session is probably favourite if you plan to wet a line at the moment.
Here’s wishing you tight lines wherever you fish.