? Fishing Test

[Dick Dastardly]

IMO it should be up to the individual, if they feel unsure of their capabilities then they should seek some tuition or guidence etc, but if they feel confident in their abilities then they shouldn't need to take an exam.

Tigger.

 

From what Ive seen (especially in pike fishing) many of the people who feel they have nothing to learn are the ones who need it the most!

 

I wont mention the clubs/teach ins but here are a couple of examples from this seasons teach ins alone-

 

"I dont need to be shown how to pick up a bloody pike Ive been doing it for years with out being bite" as the gent grabbed the (thank fully dead) pike by pushing his fore finger and thumb into the eyesockets.

 

"I dont bother fixing my hook trace on with a clip as if the hooks are caught in the gill rakers its easier and quicker just to get your braid scissors and cut the gill raker,it dont do em no harm"

 

Need I say more.

[Bob Bradford]

There are indeed some excellent posts on here Judy.

 

The question as to who is really qualified to teach others,particularly experienced anglers is a valid one, I wish to learn about Pike fishing and although I have advocated a qualified coach in these circumstances, I genuinely feel that approaching some-one like Peter Waller for advice would be of greater benefit to me, he may not hold a badge to say he is qualified, but qualified he is!

 

Angling is so diverse I cannot see how the correct level of expertise needed to teach , can be covered by a short course and simple test, it is too much to expect anyone to be that knowledgeable on all aspects of angling, better we have specialist coaches ie; Match angling,Pike fishing etc.

 

I whole heartedly agree with vagabonds ;

 

"There is a distinction between teaching

 

1/ what you might term "competence to be at the waterside" (eg fish handling, how to treat the countryside in general and in particular the water you are fishing) which is something that should be a universally expected, and

 

2/ individual angling skill (eg watercraft, casting, float control, rig design etc) which is the concern of nobody except the angler himself (and possibly his fishing mates)"

 

It is clear when you start digging that there are many levels or layers if you wish, to go through and that should be left to the individual and their personal ambitions.

 

Equally it is wrong that just anybody can go into a tackle shop or buy tackle over the internet and go out and use it without a clue what they are doing, and the point you make about licences Tony U would be invalid if it was a requirement to hold a fishing licence only AFTER a basic test and BEFORE purchasing tackle.

[david t]

4 million or so anglers is alot of exam entrants, just as many or more than that sit GCSE's every year, surely it would be a huge logistical task, getting those through the exam, although once everyone has taken it, then i gather just new comers would take it. Wouldnt it put people off, especially occasional summer anglers, and cause a fall in rod licence sales. also, just because people take and pass an exam, there are still alot of nasty or lazy anglers out there who surely know how to treat fish, but just cant be arsed.

in theory good, but in practice i reckon its hard to do.

its like the driving theory test, you may know what a road looks like, but it doesnt mean you can drive in practice.

[gozzer]

From what Ive seen (especially in pike fishing) many of the people who feel they have nothing to learn are the ones who need it the most!

 

I wont mention the clubs/teach ins but here are a couple of examples from this seasons teach ins alone-

 

"I dont need to be shown how to pick up a bloody pike Ive been doing it for years with out being bite" as the gent grabbed the (thank fully dead) pike by pushing his fore finger and thumb into the eyesockets.

 

"I dont bother fixing my hook trace on with a clip as if the hooks are caught in the gill rakers its easier and quicker just to get your braid scissors and cut the gill raker,it dont do em no harm"

 

Need I say more.

 

The examples you cite, are the type who don't want to and never would learn.

There is nothing to stop someone acting in a way so as to pass a test, then reverting back to bad practise when fishing. Just look at driving for example.

Who would police this, not enough bailiffs, and how many anglers use the powers they have already in their license or club yearbook?

[Guest tigger]

From what Ive seen (especially in pike fishing) many of the people who feel they have nothing to learn are the ones who need it the most!

 

I wont mention the clubs/teach ins but here are a couple of examples from this seasons teach ins alone-

 

"I dont need to be shown how to pick up a bloody pike Ive been doing it for years with out being bite" as the gent grabbed the (thank fully dead) pike by pushing his fore finger and thumb into the eyesockets.

 

"I dont bother fixing my hook trace on with a clip as if the hooks are caught in the gill rakers its easier and quicker just to get your braid scissors and cut the gill raker,it dont do em no harm"

 

Need I say more.

 

Yeah you are right there are millions of them out there but the thing is with total fools like that no amount of teaching or experience will help as they are obviously lost causes and should be shot at dawn!

 

I would imagin these are the type of clowns that have upset Bob so much.

 

Tigger

Edited February 16, 2006 by tigger

[Vagabond]

(especially in pike fishing) many of the people who feel they have nothing to learn are the ones who need it the most!

Yeh, I hope you gave that second muppet a good earful - I'd have wanted to confiscate his licence and permit on the spot! I knew thare were some ignorant tossers around, but that is almost beyond belief

[Tony U]

"and the point you make about licences Tony U would be invalid if it was a requirement to hold a fishing licence only AFTER a basic test and BEFORE purchasing tackle."

Bob

Its an excellent idea but would it be enforceable just look at the amount of tackle which is available at the moment which can be purchased through sources which would be difficult to regulate.

My worries about an increase in poaching and the bad angling practices that would go with it still stand.

[Bob Bradford]

Tony U, What complicates the policing of fisheries in these Isle's is the fact that so much of it is free and public!

 

A commercial fishery owner can easily police his investment, starting with the simple requirements of asking to see a valid licence and certificate of competency, no appropriate paper work , no way can they fish his/her investment.

 

It seems to me for anything like this to work properly, there needs to be a radical change regarding ownership of our fishery's! and that is a whole new kettle of fish!

[Steve Walker]

It seems terribly ironic to me that commercial fisheries should be held up as the ideal for fish welfare. I don't believe that angling has an unacceptable face but if it did have they would be it.

[Vagabond]

There is a distinction beween teaching

 

1/ what you might term "competence to be at the waterside" (eg fish handling, how to treat the countryside in general and in particular the water you are fishing) which is something that should be a universally expected, and

 

2/ individual angling skill (eg watercraft, casting, float control, rig design etc) which is the concern of nobody except the angler himself (and possibly his fishing mates)

 

Perhaps I should add that "fish handling" in the first category should include a few elements of rig design - ie teach how to recognise and avoid tether rigs, or rigs likely to cause deep or foul hooking, and when/whether or not to use barbed or barbless hooks etc. Prevention being better than cure.

 

It is difficult to teach fish welfare and handling to a novice that has yet to catch one! That is why these compulsory club pike teach-ins are so valuable in getting people off on the right track - as well as picking up the rogue "experienced" anglers that Budgie mentions.