Anglers

[Tony B]

Hi has any one experienced this, cycling along the thames towpath between Walton on Thames and Molesey, 2 of these breathren have parked there bed lounging thing [sorry don't know correct word for it] across the towpath blocking access and where laying on there drinking they're strongbows, I thought that that the fishing seasion was for fishing and not being a pratt and being a pain in the arse, any way when the under 16 white lighting chavs asccend on them all fun will begin, unless the 20+ fisherman re said chaves offspring [god help us]

 

[AWG]

Came across a rather eccentric gent on our local canal towpath. Glasses with bullet glass about quarter inch thick; Frank Spencer type raincoat; long hair and long beard. Fishing rod resting right across the towpath. Just gave us a rather simple but affectionate smile as we had to stop whilst he moved the rod, - his eyes looking as big as saucers behind this magnification. We've also had elderly walkers practically jump into the hedgerow to let us pass, due to their previous experiences (when you get talking to them). Find towpaths a voyage of adventure. Have to say though that the ones I grumble about the most are other cyclists. Anglers should have bought permits if British Waterways. Cyclists should have downloaded free permit off the web. But no-one seems to take a blind bit of notice. Maybe a very English (as opposed to British) way of doing things!

 

[Ariadne]

I avoid tow paths as much as I can now, they're just too much bother. The main one into Edinburgh has (or had) home-made '5mph' speed limit signs up: a lot of people thought they were from the council but it was just daft old guy that lives nearby.

 

[Maz]

I occasionally go canal fishing with my nephew (I'm sure the fish prefer maggots, wahey!) in Solihull. It's common courtesy for us to shift our kit out the way for cyclists, joggers etc. Same goes for barges n stuff.

 

[Globalti]

Towpaths may be flat but they have lots of dog poo and are seldom the shortest route between two points as they wind around all over the country. However in Calderdale the canal is fairly straight and forms a useful bailout route for the very many excellent routes available, being as it is at the bottom of lots of steep hills.

 

[Bodhbh]

The Grand Union Canal passes several hundred metres from the house just under the bottom of the road. I'm just at the edge of the London sprawl and it's pretty handy for following 10-15 miles out into the sticks, where you can join then empty roads. Particularly at rush hour straigh after work, or at 8 or 9am on icy winter mornings while you're waiting for the frost to clear off the roads.

Fisherfolk can be a pain, as can bargeowners who treat the towpath like their garden - hence having to get past folding chairs and tables, dogs off the lead, bonfires, people sawing up stuff and doing DIY, etc.

I guess people trying to fish or relax in their 'garden' are as irritated by cyclists bombing past as much as we are by them. God knows how anyone can relax there on busy summer days with the amount of pedestrian traffic alone tho.

Was tending the bearings on some spare wheels last night. Cassette was full of fishing line, and plenty had pulled thru between the rubber bearing seals and the wheel. Maybe I should go around to their houses and throw some old chains over the hedge .

 

[djb1971]

They aren't 'anglers'. Even in the angling world they are frowned upon. They are just chavs who happen to use fishing as an excuse for a pi55 up.

What you must remember is the proper anglers who are there have probably contributed in financial terms for the up keep of the paths you ride along through club subs or their rod licence. They also help to maintain and stock the canals which bring the wildlife you enjoy looking at.

The canals are to be shared and enjoyed by everyone but you'll always get a few who ruin it, chavs with rods or the occassional 30mph cyclist

 

[PaulB]

I saw somwthing last Saturday that I've never seen before in about 30 years of running, walking and cycling along rivers, canals and beaches. I saw a woman fishing! Honestly, first time I have ever seen a woman with a fishing rod actively fishing.

 

[Fnaar]

I don't fish myself, but my neighbour does, and has just given us a massive trout, which is now reclining in the freezer... will eat it at the weekend ... yum!

 

[Panter]

I had a fishing rod run over by a cyclist Years ago.

I'd laid it on the path to do something else and didn't hear him coming.

He stopped and apologised profusely but I apologised to him, it was my fault, it shouldn't have been there.



Ho hum, second day of the open season and still haven't been fishing for ages.................

 

[jxyzb]

I saw a woman fishing!

That is unusual. I don't think I have ever seen a woman fishing. Involved in peripheral activities like pouring the lager out , yes , but not actually fishing.

Whatever hapened to those long rods that were so popular a few years ago , were they just a fashion thing ?

 

[accountantpete]

Whatever hapened to those long rods that were so popular a few years ago , were they just a fashion thing ?

I think that the fish have sussed them out and moved to within 20 feet of the bank where they are safe!

 

[Globalti]

Don't Shimano also make reels for fishing?

We have an eccentric in our street who goes fishing in local reservoirs and rivers. He is constantly in and out of trouble with The Law and is very vocal in his criticism of Police, magistrates, baliffs etc. who have banged him up a couple of times for a week. A few months ago I was out on the MTB and saw him fishing in a nearby reservoir. Later he shambled past my house so I asked him if he'd had any luck; he denied strenuously that it was him I'd seen. A few nights later there was a knock on the door alarmingly late at night, I opened and there he was with a lovely trout, all prepared with some slices of lemon. "Here," he said, "this is for you - you're the only people in this street who are nice to me!".

I didn't tell him that for some reason eating trout makes me shoot hot water and I gave it to my neighbour who loves fish.

 

[Panter]

Don't Shimano also make reels for fishing?

They do, in fact they make some of the very finest fishing reels out there

 

[Bigtwin]

I didn't tell him that for some reason eating trout makes me shoot hot water and I gave it to my neighbour who loves fish.

A whole new meaning to keeping up with the Jones'.