Just been down to the Tees where I live for a walk with the dogs an there were four anglers fishing away with maggots and other baits. When I mentioned that
they were fishing out of season and it was worm/fly only. Every single one of them had a different excuse on why they did not know about the seasons end and
what could/could not be used as bait. It will only get worse at the weather picks up through April, May and the beginning of June.
"I thought it was the end of March" one said, "oh, I thought you could use anything but maggots", said another. Last week one said they thought it was the 16th March that it ended.
It just shows either the lack of knowledge or understanding of the rules or in some cases people just no caring and carrying on regardless. The Environment Agency had a major advertising campaign last year on the TV and it will probably be on this year before the new licences are due, about fishing without an environment agency rod licence and what fines could be imposed if you are caught without one. Surly it would be beneficial if they were to do the same either in the angling press or on the TV on why there is a close season on the rivers throughout England and Wales and what fines could be imposed like that for the licence dodgers to stop this kind of behaviour from carrying on year in year out.
They are putting the cost of the licence up by £1.50 to £26, so I understand it, correct me if I'm wrong, so where does all that extra money go to, and if they are spending who knows what on advertising about new licences and why we "ALL" should have one.
They make the rules on why there is a close season on the rivers, but seem not interested in enforcing these said rules, double standards in my book. Happy to take the moneys for the licence fees but seem equally as happy just to stand back and not enforce the rules on fishing the rivers out of season.
JonnyB
"I thought it was the end of March" one said, "oh, I thought you could use anything but maggots", said another. Last week one said they thought it was the 16th March that it ended.
It just shows either the lack of knowledge or understanding of the rules or in some cases people just no caring and carrying on regardless. The Environment Agency had a major advertising campaign last year on the TV and it will probably be on this year before the new licences are due, about fishing without an environment agency rod licence and what fines could be imposed if you are caught without one. Surly it would be beneficial if they were to do the same either in the angling press or on the TV on why there is a close season on the rivers throughout England and Wales and what fines could be imposed like that for the licence dodgers to stop this kind of behaviour from carrying on year in year out.
They are putting the cost of the licence up by £1.50 to £26, so I understand it, correct me if I'm wrong, so where does all that extra money go to, and if they are spending who knows what on advertising about new licences and why we "ALL" should have one.
They make the rules on why there is a close season on the rivers, but seem not interested in enforcing these said rules, double standards in my book. Happy to take the moneys for the licence fees but seem equally as happy just to stand back and not enforce the rules on fishing the rivers out of season.
JonnyB
