[quote:da3fe2baaa="Foleyartist"]
As grown up responsible paddlers we need to make sure that we abide by access agreements([b:da3fe2baaa]no matter how odious/unfair/ridiculous we deem them to be[/b:da3fe2baaa])If we ignore them we leave ourselves open to abuse and the wrath of fishermen and landowners alike.
If challenged we need to remain calm and polite or we'll just blow it for everyone.
[/quote:da3fe2baaa]
I think that the first part of that (in bold) is rubbish. If there were fair access agreements in place on English/Welsh rivers, then fair enough, until then, I see no reason to recognise them at all. It just maintains the status quo that the landowners/fishermen (most not all) want to maintain, maintaining the feudal atmosphere that pervades the UK!
As for the second part, couldn't agree more.
For interest, the origional thread on
http://www.ukriversguidebook.co.uk has a response from the fishermen in question, an interesting read and all parties wanted the matter closed. I for one, am glad that he responded.