I'd guess, it was on because of
this
Bringing the debate right out into the open....
Good on yer Griff..!
Cheers
Red.
I have mixed feelings about these debates, mostly because most of the time the weak, often repeated reasons why canoeists should not be allowed access just bores me witless. The Vine programme is a casing point, again a programme where we hear from the angling point of view, verbally, by two angling followers, and the canoeing side of the debate we get a couple of very lacklustre e-mails/texts read out. Where was the BCU representative?
Anglers pay for the privalage to fish the many miles of rivers and streams. Yawn! Canoeists should be made to pay. Yawn! Surely if we had access then we would, through BCU membership in pretty much the same way as we do now!
Canoeists spoil spawning beds. Really. By their very nature spawning beds are incredibly shallow areas most of which probably too shallow to canoe anyway.
Sorry, but the angling side of this debate always seems to centre around the Salmon and Trout fly fisherman, that yes do indeed pay an awful lot for the privilege, but no way near enough to warrant having the river all to themselves. I've lived in and around Matlock for 14 years and in that time have walked along many miles of the Derwent at various places and I can count the number of anglers seen on one hand.
The course angler or match angler judging by the encounters I have had with these, seem to be far more accommodating. Once you have established where they would like you to pass, often result in pleasing nods and waves from both parties. We're not about to go stampeding through any anglers swim, and the notion that this is what all canoeists do is unfounded and unfair!
We need the likes of Mr Jones to bring this issue more into the public eye.
So my feeling is, about time too!
Well done Griff.
As for access, if I can get to it, I will canoe it, not interested in any anglers, if they are mug enough to pay lots of money, tough.
(23-07-09 06:22 PM)Nige Wrote: [ -> ]Where was the BCU representative?
Nige,
Been doing a bit of digging and it seems that this is where the BCU representative was.....
The Rivers Access Campaign i.e. The BCU Wrote:The Campaign were approached by the BBC to appear of the show but after a short preliminary interview in which the Campaign stated (not a canoeing v fishing issue, there should be an access code for all.. so rights with responsibilities, that there were no “juicy” stories to tell from a personal point of view re the myth) … the BBC called back saying there was not time for the interview! A while later the Campaign then found out that other canoeing volunteers had been approached once they were turned down. One was booked to go on the show but once he too had his preliminary interview saying the same things as the Campaign he too was “removed” from the opportunity to present the real case for access.
Rivers Access Campaign can be found
here
Cheers
Red.
That's about normal for the BBC.
