Specialist Angling Unity

[Guest STEVE POPE]

Somewhile ago I posted a serious topic regarding the internal problems of two of the biggest specialist organisations, a look on the various carp sites will show what I mean, and the various predator threads on this site have opened up their problems for all to see.

Now my question is this, bearing in mind then that two of the largest groups have more than enough to keep them occupied for the forseeable future lets say putting their own houses in order, how can time , effort and money be spent on the proposed new umbrella organisation.

When answering be practical, realistic and please do not give all the same answers we have heard before.

In my opinion if the two largest groups are not completely focussed the SAA is a non starter.

 

Steve.

[Guest Alan Pearce]

Steve as you know all large democratic groups from time to time have there own internal wranglings. I find it sad that at times some who can't always get their own way go into the public forum to try and cause problems. Fortunatly those more responsible get on with the important issues and keep focused on the bigger picture, not just for their own groups, but angling overall. Make no mistake the SAA will be a success simply because the will is there by the members to make it so.

 

By the way are the Barbel Society going to join in at the start and make a contribution to the future of specialist angling along with all the other single species groups?

 

Alan.

[Guest STEVE POPE]

Alan, with all due respect I know your opinions and views on part of this subject, you have eloquently expressed them on this forum on many occassions.

I am hoping to receive responses from others, perhaps those involved with the groups in question.

This is a general overview and I am not seeking to make any mischief, but I truly believe my question is pertinent.

Please do not play the BS involvement card,as you are well aware of my annoyance with regard to the formation meeting, and in the context of the question I have posted it is not relevant.

[Guest Graham E]

The BS make a significant contribution to the Specialist Angling Scene....like petitioning Parliment to keep the Closed season......like standing strongly against the 4 rod issue......like campaigning to prevent river fish being kept in carp ponds.

Alan, think a bit please.

Please advise when the formation meeting is scheduled for? The only date I have pencilled in my diary is the pre arranged BS Annual Meeting.

[Guest Steve Burke]

Should the Tory party not fight the general election 'cos they can't agree amongst themselves?

 

Of course the new umbrella organisation should go ahead - with or without any particular group for the time being. Angling needs it and, with the antis getting active, needs it *now*.

 

Anyone who didn't know you Steve might suspect your motives, or think that the post was made because you can't go fishing and so you're bored!

 

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Wingham Fisheries

http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/fisheries/wingham.htm

[Guest lyn]

As my brother is always telling me, I am out of touch! I know for a fact that he has spent many hours promoting NASA and feels the SACG is pushing them out.

 

I do not get involved with the politics of fishing but I know Bob feels strongly about certain issues. Lucky for him, he is in Kenya marlin fishing. He returns at the end of this week so I will comment more then.

 

I do know at a time like this when our sport is under threat that we have to try and stand together on some sort of united front to save angling as a whole.

 

The differences of opinions between SSG need to be sorted. I must admit that the SAA date clashing with the BS AGM is stupid as a lot of people would have wanted to attend both.

 

All this is going to do is cause divided loyalties for anglers in general trying to decide which one to go to.

 

Well I know where I'm going

 

lyn

[Guest Peter Waller]

I would like to think that all the posturing and pushing for pole position can be put aside, that unity is around the corner. That said I do see a very real problem in the offing. I tend to believe that the Barbel Society tends to be representative of what I would term as real anglers, modern day Mr Crabtrees! We then have the Bivvy Boy agenda, masses of rods and all year round, I won't say angling, fishing. Numerically the BB agenda is in pole position but their influence on angling is not to everyones' liking. Unfortunately the two schools of thought are poles apart. Watching what many of us hold dear, eg the close season, being destroyed, is not a path that many would feel able to support. I don't see an obvious answer. It isn't mischief to suggest that there is or will be a problem when clearly there is the potential for two entrenched points of view finding no common ground. Perhaps the Barbel Society should open its doors to all those anglers who support their views, renaming itself as The Real Anglers Club. A hint of superiority creeping in here? No, just a desire to see an upholding of traditional angling values and sportsmanship. Unity is an ideal, one that is going to be hard to achieve.

[Guest Paul Williams]

Peter,

I barbel fish, i barbel fish with one rod roving and i barbel fish with two rods static......i fish stillwaters with the bivvy up and with three rods....i fish with a float rod and stick and waggler floats......i fish as my mood takes me,it's my hobby when i'm having a session carping do i stop being a real angler? and when i'm stolling the river bank with one rod do i suddenly become a real one?

There is no need for different views to come between a succsesful angling body....just a mature understanding of each others views and dumping of holier than thou attitudes that SOME members of ALL the single species groups have.

[Guest waterman1013]

For the sake of clarity the meeting dates for SACG/SAA were established last September. BS not being members of SACG were not consulted at that time.

 

NASA meetings have traditionally been held on Thursday evenings. Most single species groups would find it hard to attend a formative meeting on a Thursday in a central location, so the SACG dates have been used to allow as many groups as possible to attend the formative meetings of SAA. The clash is unfortunate but totally unintentional. Steve has been asked if he could not send a delegate to SAA but feels that would not do justice to the BS position. That decision is respected.

 

Unfortunately because all these dates are established so early most other dates are now unsuitable for one single species group or another.

 

NASA members and SACG members are all welcome at the formative meeting on May 13th. Agendas will be circulated to them shortly.

 

Mike Heylin

Secretary SAA Steering Committee

[Guest Mark Leathwood]

Steve,

 

In answer to the question you initially posed, I would like to make it clear that whatever problems pike angling has faced in recent months, PAC has never taken its eye off the ball in terms of the wider issue of angling unity. PAC is committed to SACG, and to the establishment of the new SAA.

 

The SAA will work, because those of us who are involved are committed to the future of angling.

 

Mark Leathwood

General Secretary

Pike Anglers Club of Gt. Britain