where are the river cops when you need them

[hermes]

I was happily driving down the A12 towards Redbridge roundabout on my way home tonight, all was just dandy till I drove over the river Lea just before Hackney Marshes when I saw red

 

To my left by the old toy factory I saw not one but numerous so called anglers fishing the river, it was a brief glance but not mistaking more than one guy with fishing rods and where are the river cops when you need them eh?

 

What makes my blood boil is seeing such blatent idiot so called anglers who obviously wont have a rod licence, fishing permit or a damn clue. I can hear you say 'oh but they didnt know' but come on guys they havent got a clue and nor have the so called river cops. If they get stopped what are the chances of them having any idea about fishing and the law, it makes me sick.

 

How come there allowed to get away with it eh, where are the authorities when they are needed eh, I guess this sort of crap is going on all over the country night and day and there is no one to stop them is there?

 

With the real season on it's way I'm thinking about renewing my club memberships and rod licence as I have done for decades, to me it's an exciting time of year but with every year that passes I'm getting more bitter about doing so, why should honest anglers like us pay loads of money for something that other simply take away from us, and in some cases have the damn front to walk off with the fish too?

Why should I be bothered about renewing my licence when I see t*ssers get away with it all over the country and where the hell are the authorities when there needed most eh?

I bet they will be out in force the first day of the season, nicking the odd genuine angler who has forgotten to take his licence with him for the first time in twenty years, slapping him slilly with a hefty fine and a pair of pink fur lined handcuffs eh.

 

I know a few anglers get prosecuted for not having rod licences but were closing our eyes to the vast numbers of dodgy illegal anglers that dont give a *uck. I wonder how many are fishing right now as I get hotter under the collar?

 

When are we ever, or maybe just me going to feel safe to return to a river knowing that everyone there are members and have someone to call when we need help cos we dont get bugger all for out licence money mates but a guy in a bullet proof vest with his pink fur lined cuffs ready for some poor kid......

 

arggghhhhhh!!!

[Jeff S]

Wow Hermes! Say what you really mean! Now really.. Did you stop to take a breath?

 

Devils advocate:

There seems to be a significant difference in bylaws for different areas of the country. To be blatant about fishing within sight of an A road like that makes me wonder if they were in fact legally fishing?

[Guest tigger]

I bet they will be out in force the first day of the season, nicking the odd genuine angler who has forgotten to take his licence with him for the first time in twenty years, slapping him slilly with a hefty fine and a pair of pink fur lined handcuffs eh.

 

 

 

Yeaph sounds about right hermes.

[gozzer]

Who controls the length?

Have you reported it?

 

John.

[tiddlertamer]

Erm - I think it may have all been quite legal.

 

Fishing on the The river Lea navigation south of the Aqueduct lock near Cheshunt downstream (perhaps as far down as the Thames)is legal out of the river season because it is canalised...

[hermes]

No I didnt report it as I hadnt had time after I got home, I know I should but where to eh?

Gozzer, I have no idea who controls the stretch, it looks like one of those areas that a no go if you havent got backup lol

 

If anyone know how and where I can report this I would be grateful mates.

 

I take your word for it tiddlertamer but I cant believe its legal, that must mean its legal to dredge it with nets and explosives too lol

Surely it doesn't mean that every canalised river is open to attack does it?

 

Remember I just glanced down and saw some 'muppet' anglers there, no disrepect (ok well maybe) but I can sniff out a would be illegal angler a mile away, you know the kind that just stands out from the crowd.

[Dales]

I drive over the same bridge on the way to work and have seen people fishing over the last few weeks.

 

If they are fishing illegally would some one patrolling the area make any difference! The people I saw fishing only seemed to have rods and a few old buckets, I am sure they would just leg it if approached by an official.

 

However most anglers would not be to happy to leave there prized kit and do a runner, so we pay up or face the fine for not having a licence

[hermes]

Hi Dales, if we are talking about the same stretch then I mean the bit where you go under the railway bend and up into daylight after the road splits from Hackney, then look to the left for a few seconds?

 

If those guys are there illegally then surely it's the authorities duty to remove them etc, after all thats we are paying them for. I admit I wouldnt like to be a bailiff but thats there job or maybe they like the more comfortable Carp fisheries to raid eh!!

 

Your description of these would be anglers is spot on, thats just the impression I get, they cant have anything like a permit or rod licence so why are they allowed to get away with it at the expense of us good guys?

 

Whatever the reason I'm sure they shouldnt be fishing there full stop so where are the authorities eh?

[poledark]

Are they actually doing any harm? Just a bit of fishing after all...................

 

Den

[hermes]

hahahaa very good Den, I need a giggle!

Hope you not serious.....