Anglers and Canal Boaters

[garethevans1986]

Hi everybody

 

I'm new here as you may see...

 

I've read a few topics regarding fisherman/fisherladies/anglers and boaters and to be honest I'm appalled at some of the replies from some people on this forum!!

 

Ive been fishing the canals, both pleasure fishing and match fishing for a few years now around the Wrexham/Llangollen/Chester/Ellesmere area. I always make eye contact with the boaters coming past and always say hello, thank you and wave and do most of the time get a reply or a short conversation between us.

 

I do agree with some of the posts here you do get some bad eggs that just fly past soaking everything on the towpath with their bow wave, probably with the attitude "I pay more for my boat license to be on this canal than you pay for your license so I shall do what I want...", sorry but this is an awful and disgusting. This is generally 1 in say 30 possible 40 boaters that go past.

 

Most will slow down and before now (especially during a match) I've signalled to boats to move into the middle of the track rather than down the far-side where I'm actually, feeding, fishing and catching!! So by ploughing through the far side will "kill the swim" for a good 20mins or so.....its not the end of the world but during a match when there is money involved, I can understand why some people get annoyed.

 

During a fishing match, we don't have much choice of where we are pegged, you pick your peg from a hat.

(This is also something I will make note of too - you do learn something new every day!)

 

If I may point out some tips that may help relationships between us anglers and boat users....

 

• Slow down, right down.....when passing somebody who's fishing.
  
• Try and keep in the middle of the track.
  
• Try and pass other boaters BETWEEN anglers and not in front of them.
  
• Manners - it doesn't hurt to say hello and thank you (this goes for us anglers too!)
  

Proper anglers don't and won't leave rubbish behind.

 

At the end of the day, what ever you pay to be on the canal its there for everybody's enjoyment, so lets keep it that way...

 

Thank You

Gareth

[CanalWalker]

The competition organisers should put signs up at each end telling the boaters where to go (!) ie down the middle. And thanking them for slowing downa nd apologising for the disruption.

[garethevans1986]

Good point.....but is it worth doing this for a small match of say 10 anglers when you could just get the end anglers to warn them verbally.

[carlt]

Why would the end angler warn the boat, that is about to disturb his swim, how not to disturb theis competitors' swims?

[CanalWalker]

A sign could warn boaters before they got too close, and it could have a big smiley face on it, something the anglers might not.

 

Does anyone fish with a rod these days, its all poles as far as I can see.

 

Also why do they leave the line infront of the boat until the last second before the boat passes? If they did catch anything the boat would hit it.

[GSer]

A sign could warn boaters before they got too close, and it could have a big smiley face on it, something the anglers might not.

 

Does anyone fish with a rod these days, its all poles as far as I can see.

 

Also why do they leave the line infront of the boat until the last second before the boat passes? If they did catch anything the boat would hit it.

 

 

It's amazingly effective at slowing boats down, right up untill they don't that is

 

Paul

[dor]

Good point.....but is it worth doing this for a small match of say 10 anglers when you could just get the end anglers to warn them verbally.

 

What a lot of people don't realise is that, because you are standing over an engine, it is actually very difficult to hear what people on the tow path say. If you expect boats to slow down, is it too much trouble for the match organisers to tap in a couple of little signs asking boaters to slow down and stick to the left/right/middle - and say please? And a note on the other end to say "thank you for slowing down"?

 

I always slow down for anglers, though most of the time I wonder why I bother as you usually get no acknowlgement at best, abuse at worse. Anglers really should get their act in order if they expect better cooperation from boaters. Like a bit of appreciation when boaters make an effort on their behalf, and NOT fishing from lock landings or in winding holes.

 

And if some anglers really do get upset at a boater having the temerity to go slowly past them, why don't they go and fish in a pond? After all, most angling clubs with ponds have 'canals' dug out now.

[garethevans1986]

Thanks for your replies.....

 

dor - Like I said before, I didn't even know you're not supposed to fish on lock moorings and winding holes, perhaps education is the answer for these people, I will also bear this in mind when I'm fishing in matches from now on too.

 

Ill see if I can recommend to other match organisers to get some signs made too!

 

Personally, I ship my pole back rather than lift it up when the boat is at a decent distance away from me so I don't have rush pulling it back in and always check for cyclists too! But everybody is different, some lift it up others ship back or move to the side.

 

GE

[magpie patrick]

I don't fish (or angle?) it simply doesn't appeal, but I like the fact that others do: Anglers are as important to keeping the canals open in the face of a funding crisis as anyone, not least because the haven't spent tens of thousands getting nice shiny equipment.

 

Thanks for the guidance: It confirms that I'm generally doing the right thing as I try and work out where the angler is fishing and keep away. Poles are nearly always reaching the far bank, rods often close to the near bank, but I look for the float. I also often knock the engine out of gear for about a boats length as I pass, although with a fishing match this isn't practical.

 

I do recognise the description of the miserable or rude angler, but in my expreience they really are in a minority, but then, perhaps that's coz I've slowed down and kept out of their swim

 

edited coz I can't type!

Edited September 22, 2008 by magpie patrick

[bottle]

I always attempt to slow down for anglers but it's the ones that hide in the undergrowth and then moan that I did not, that annoy me.

 

This annoyance only lasts whilst that angler is in view, then I forget all about it.

[jeb]

I have been an angler for over45 years and to be honest the match anglers think they rule everything. Some Angling clubs have rule books so thick they have to fell a rain forest to produce it every year, they very much need to be the dominant ones to the point where the casual and specialist angler cannot even fish some of their waters for fear of breaking some pathetic rule made up by these people and losing their tickets. So what sort of pea brained idiot decides to stage a match on any water knowing full well boats are going to go through the stretch possibly all day long and then complains about it ?

 

Proper anglers fish these sort of waters when they have accepted this fact or choose to fish at night when boat traffic is at a minimum.

[Barry]

What a lot of people don't realise is that, because you are standing over an engine, it is actually very difficult to hear what people on the tow path say. If you expect boats to slow down, is it too much trouble for the match organisers to tap in a couple of little signs asking boaters to slow down and stick to the left/right/middle - and say please? And a note on the other end to say "thank you for slowing down"?

 

I always slow down for anglers, though most of the time I wonder why I bother as you usually get no acknowlgement at best, abuse at worse. Anglers really should get their act in order if they expect better cooperation from boaters. Like a bit of appreciation when boaters make an effort on their behalf, and NOT fishing from lock landings or in winding holes.

 

And if some anglers really do get upset at a boater having the temerity to go slowly past them, why don't they go and fish in a pond? After all, most angling clubs with ponds have 'canals' dug out now.

 

I suspect that this is the sort of attitude that Gareth was referring to in his original post

 

The phrase "Anglers really should get their act in order if they expect better cooperation from boaters" is not helpful besides being inaccurate. Anglers might well then be entitled to respond with "Boaters should get their act in order if....." - and there we go with another mud slinging competition which benefits nobody. It is just as unfair to attempt to tar all boaters with the same brush by using generalised sweeping statements as it is attempt to tar all anglers the same way.

 

The fact is that in both groups of canal users some are considerate - some are not. Some are rude - some are not. Some just don't give a damn - some do

 

I think the best thing that can happen is that anglers go out of their way to understand the point of view of boaters and boaters respond likewise

[JV44]

I often fish from both the cruiser and the tender and whilst motoring up the river in the tender to get to the nearest weir pool will try to talk to the anglers on the bank as i go by with rods on view so you would think that they would all be kindred spirits, My experience is that they are either very chatty wanting to know how its fishing in the weir pool and what i am after in there or stoney faced silence as they look right through me so as not to make eye contact and maybe have to speak .

Have to say the pleasure anglers are far more lightly to chat/have a bit of friendly banter than the match guys just my experience mind, Now when i go by in the cruiser its very rare indeed to get a match guy to speak, grunt or even nod his head and far less anglers in general are lightly to chat even though i make it a mission to try to wave/chat to every one i pass.

GSer have you noticed any trend like this when you have been out in your rowwing boat with the rods not counting upsetting grumpy riverside property owners of course steve.

[Roger Gunkel]

My residential mooring is on a river bank belonging to a marina containing about 100 boats. On the opposite bank, the fishing rights are owned by a local angling club. I have absolutely no problem with anglers generally, always slowing down and nodding or smiling, whether I get a response or not. However, when the club have a Sunday fishing match, members frequently start arriving at 7.00 am, even though the match doesn't start unti 10.00. I have lost count of the number of times we have been woken at 7-7.30 by people calling along the river, laughing and joking etc even though they are aware that the boats are lived on. They also frequently cast onto the roof of the boats, or so close that muddy splashes cover the newly cleaned windows and sides. I often wonder how they would feel if a group of residents went and sat outside of their houses on the public footpath on a Sunday morning, talking and shouting and squirting dirty water up their windows.

 

I made a point last year of going across the river after their match and having a polite discussion about the fishing, covering their thoughts and ours, which was generally very amicable. Following matches were much quieter early on, although sometimes, sadly, with the noteable exception of a couple of people who seemed to find it quite amusing to be noisy inspite of comments to shut up from their fellow anglers.

 

We all want to enjoy our privacy and our leisure time and a bit of consideration for the needs of others goes a long way. Unfortunately one or two 'Couldn't give a toss' individuals, spoil it for the vast majority on both sides.

 

Roger

Edited September 22, 2008 by Roger Gunkel

[jeb]

not counting upsetting grumpy riverside property owners of course steve.

Jeeze, How did you know I live in a riverside property ? Its not that obviouse is it ?

[SteveE]

I talked to an experienced angler some weeks ago in the course of my work and asked him how I should pass a fishing person in my boat on the canal. He said if the fish were biting and being caught go as slowly as possible not to disturb the situation If they weren't go faster to stir things up a bit. If they were biting on the left, steer to the right and vice versa. I asked how I would know all this from the steering position and he said "You wouldn't". "So whatever I do with the boat is likely to be wrong?". "Yes" was the reply.

SteveE

[Tillerman]

So what sort of pea brained idiot decides to stage a match on any water knowing full well boats are going to go through the stretch possibly all day long and then complains about it ?

 

Proper anglers fish these sort of waters when they have accepted this fact or choose to fish at night when boat traffic is at a minimum.

 

Quite right. I slow down and try to make eye contact and be polite, but I do dispare at those that complain about boaters causing disruption. I had one complain about the number of boats passing his swim and it was a Bank Holiday - I mean, what did he expect???

 

QUOTE:

If I may point out some tips that may help relationships between us anglers and boat users....

 

* Slow down, right down.....when passing somebody who's fishing.

* Try and keep in the middle of the track.

* Try and pass other boaters BETWEEN anglers and not in front of them.

* Manners - it doesn't hurt to say hello and thank you (this goes for us anglers too!)

 

I'd pretty much agree apart from the 3rd point as its impossible to determine where you are going to pass an oncoming boat.

[Tinally]

I often wonder how they would feel if a group of residents went and sat outside of their houses on the public footpath on a Sunday morning, talking and shouting and squirting dirty water up their widows.

 

I don't supposed she'd be best pleased, but I'm hardly likely to be complaining!!

[Roger Gunkel]

I often wonder how they would feel if a group of residents went and sat outside of their houses on the public footpath on a Sunday morning, talking and shouting and squirting dirty water up their widows.

 

I don't supposed she'd be best pleased, but I'm hardly likely to be complaining!!

 

Oops! yet another typo from me, could be quite interesting though

Roger

[garethevans1986]

I'd pretty much agree apart from the 3rd point as its impossible to determine where you are going to pass an oncoming boat.

 

It was meant asin, if your on a straight stretch of canal and can see another boat coming towards you......

 

I talked to an experienced angler some weeks ago in the course of my work and asked him how I should pass a fishing person in my boat on the canal. He said if the fish were biting and being caught go as slowly as possible not to disturb the situation If they weren't go faster to stir things up a bit. If they were biting on the left, steer to the right and vice versa. I asked how I would know all this from the steering position and he said "You wouldn't". "So whatever I do with the boat is likely to be wrong?". "Yes" was the reply.

SteveE

 

Sometimes I signal to the boats who are heading over to the far side to come more into the middle and thank them if they do move over too.

 

From what I've seen its the ones who rent the boats for the weekend who have no common sense at all when they come across anglers.....

 

GE

[GSer]

I often fish from both the cruiser and the tender and whilst motoring up the river in the tender to get to the nearest weir pool will try to talk to the anglers on the bank as i go by with rods on view so you would think that they would all be kindred spirits, My experience is that they are either very chatty wanting to know how its fishing in the weir pool and what i am after in there or stoney faced silence as they look right through me so as not to make eye contact and maybe have to speak .

Have to say the pleasure anglers are far more lightly to chat/have a bit of friendly banter than the match guys just my experience mind, Now when i go by in the cruiser its very rare indeed to get a match guy to speak, grunt or even nod his head and far less anglers in general are lightly to chat even though i make it a mission to try to wave/chat to every one i pass.

GSer have you noticed any trend like this when you have been out in your rowwing boat with the rods not counting upsetting grumpy riverside property owners of course steve.

 

 

I pass a fair few matches in my travels, but I always seem to know alot of the anglers taking part, so I do get talked to alot. Quite often matchanglers won't start a conversation because they are concentrating in big competetions on hard waters one bite extra, per man, per team can make a huge difference to the end result, in that case boats are just a distraction.

 

On the canal it's best to remember that canal anglers are just failed river anglers that are too tight with their money to fish commercials.

 

Paul

[Daftmare]

Anglers are as important to keeping the canals open in the face of a funding crisis as anyone, not least because they haven't spent tens of thousands getting nice shiny equipment.

 

If you added up the cost of the equipment they have all around them, you will find that some of them have!!

 

J.

 

 

Having married into a "fishing" family, I was taught early on to keep to the centre line. We always try to smile at each angler and my husband will usually ask how things are going (unless its a match, and they are concentrating).

 

It doesn't surprise me that angers do not know that they cannot fish in winding holes or at lock waiting areas (more signs needed ). The problem is that anglers do not read our rules and we do not read theirs!

 

One gripe is the narrowboat owners who moor up at BW Visitor moorings and spread out their fishing stuff along the next mooring place and glare at the next boater who tries to moor there! Seen it so many times (but I just moor anyway!).

[GSer]

If you added up the cost of the equipment they have all around them, you will find that some of them have!!

 

J.

 

 

Having married into a "fishing" family, I was taught early on to keep to the centre line. We always try to smile at each angler and my husband will usually ask how things are going (unless its a match, and they are concentrating).

 

It doesn't surprise me that angers do not know that they cannot fish in winding holes or at lock waiting areas (more signs needed ). The problem is that anglers do not read our rules and we do not read theirs!

 

One gripe is the narrowboat owners who moor up at BW Visitor moorings and spread out their fishing stuff along the next mooring place and glare at the next boater who tries to moor there! Seen it so many times (but I just moor anyway!).

 

 

There's no problems with fishing in winding holes, thats allowed IIRC

[Pam S]

My husband is a relatively inexperienced narrowboater and during a stint at the tiller recently he made the mistake of trying to avoid an angler's pole by going to the other side of the canal and almost got us grounded. We were clearly having difficulties and the angler thought it was highly amusing.

 

I was rather cross - partly with the angler but mostly with my husband. He had refused to do as I instructed (I'm the one with several years narrowboating experience) which was to keep on course and not to make allowances for the angler and his tackle (we had just passed moored boats so were still going very slowly). My husband is a very polite person and was adamant that it cost nothing to be polite and accommodating. I pointed out that it had actually put us into a mildly dangerous position:

 

We were approaching a blind bend with a bridge hole

There was a lot of vegetation on the other side of the canal indicating shallows (and putting our prop in danger of being fouled)

He was unfamiliar with this stretch of canal and didn't realise that we were about to enter a fairly sharp and exposed chicane in canal terms - any boat approaching the bridge hole from the other side could itself be in some difficulty due to the problems with cross winds

 

I also pointed out that the angler was in fact sitting in the middle of a 'No fishing' zone - plumb directly underneath overhead power cables. My husband didn't believe that - he hadn't noticed the first warning sign, the angler was obscuring the middle sign and we were still arguing as we passed the sign at the other end, so he didn't see that either.

 

He did admit that had he stayed on course he might not have scraped the boat through the bridge hole but did not concede my point fully until the return journey when he did see all the warning signs, and also found he had to stay in the middle to avoid running aground.

 

There is really no excuse for fishing where there are clear 'no fishing' signs (in locks, at lock moorings, winding holes, overhead power cables etc.) and I'm not even sure we should be particularly polite to such anglers.

 

Pam S

[carlt]

There's no problems with fishing in winding holes, thats allowed IIRC

I don't see any harm in fishing in a winding hole but dropping a keep net there might cause stress to the fish.