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Bob Wyatt
Member
111 Posts |
 Posted - 15/02/2002 : 04:11:53
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I think its time anglers find, or create an organisation to join for political purposes. We need one on the model of Trout Unlimited and DU in North America. These are made up of local chapters which contribute to the larger 'mother' organisation - and no politician will touch them. Referred to as 'third rail' issues, personal liberty issues are regarded by politicians as like touching the third rail on a subway track. Fatal to a career. US style power politics has been well established in the UK for decades, but 'special interest' outdoors people have been asleep at the wheel. Field sports have been traditionally tied to property interests in the UK, but we must learn to see them as personal liberties, regardless of 'class' differences. Get organised guys - and let's keep our collective eye on the principles, not differences of kind or style.
Wyatt
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Paul King
Junior Member
81 Posts |
 Posted - 15/02/2002 : 04:39:40
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Bob,
I heartily agree with you on this. There are one or two organisations that are perhaps a little way down this road. I buy a "Conservation Stamp" as an extra to my BASC (British Association for Shooting and Conservation) subscription and this money is ring fenced for habitat improvement for wildfowl. There is also some potential for the Wild Trout Society in this role as both these organisations have broadly the same agenda as Ducks Unlimited and Trout Unlimited do in the US. The political scene is slightly different here as we anglers are generally not "political" animals and it is only recently that there have been mass demonstrations in support of our sport, pressure from the conservation point of view and a growing awareness of the problems of the countryside. Also far fewer officials are elected here and the opportunity for applying pressure tis way is lost in the "bigger picture" politics that pander to appeasing the majority and "disadvantaged" minorities. I can't see it happening but that is no reason not to try.
Paul King |
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jab
Junior Member
81 Posts |
Posted - 18/02/2002 : 11:34:14
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There are I suppose some reasons why we don't do this over here:
We do not have a written constitution guaranteeing liberties, even though the Human Rights convention applies under our laws. To see if the Human Rights Convention would apply we would need to have a test case (I believe the Scottish Foxhunting people are preparing one). This takes expertise and that requires money - usually a lot of it! Perhaps we could get the tackle manufacturers & suppliers to sponsor it? After all, us anglers provide a lot of cash for their coffers.
Very often, bodies purporting to represent angling interests are dominated by commercial fishery and property concerns (I am thinking primarily of the Trout & Salmon Association but there are others). They are also often factionalised and, what's more, far too class conscious. These are the basic reasons why I'm not a member of any body (other than ACA, but that's specifically anti-pollution). Unless we can separate genuine angling concerns from commercial and property interests then we will forever be in this position.
Given that TU are so effective in the USA, why don't we approach them for advice in handling these problems? I'm sure they would be willing to help! Does anyone know how they can be contacted?
James Bannon |
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jab
Junior Member
81 Posts |
Posted - 19/02/2002 : 11:35:48
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Hi Guys,
Found TU's web site on www.tu.org. Before I ask them the question, how many would like me to ask?
James Bannon |
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Fluke
Member
164 Posts |
Posted - 19/02/2002 : 11:52:43
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Yes please James
Fluke!
"Don't take life too seriously... it ain't permanent!" Attribute to Joe Pearlstein. |
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jab
Junior Member
81 Posts |
Posted - 19/02/2002 : 12:44:09
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OK, I'll think up some wording and post it here before asking them the question on the web. I had a brief look at their site this afternoon during a quiet period (in-between support calls) and it looks pretty professional.
James Bannon |
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jab
Junior Member
81 Posts |
Posted - 20/02/2002 : 12:15:06
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OK, here we go. The wording I settled on was as follows:
Dear Trout Unlimited,
I am writing this on behalf of the members of the Fly-fishing & Fly-tying Forum. It has been suggested by a Forum member that we in the UK form an organisation similar to your own with the aim of conserving our own cold-water environments and of representing the interests of Fly-fishers generally and the members of the Forum agreed. We have been particularly impressed with the success of Trout Unlimited in the USA and were wondering if you could supply any advice on how we might go about setting up such a venture. If you could reply to the address below, we would be very grateful for any information you could supply.
Thanking you in advance for your help,
Best Regards,
James Bannon
E-mail: james.bannon@isiuk.com.
How's that? I have, as you see, written on behalf of the Forum members, so if anyone objects now is the time to say! I'll leave it here for objections and corrections to come in and will check again next week.
If I might make a suggestion here, I would be very careful about being anti-anti (ouch! sorry about that) in presenting a face to the general public etc. Although the antis' views might be based on ignorance of the basic facts and our own ethical position, these views are genuinely held. It is I think up to the angling fraternity to educate people about the sport. I think this approach might be more effective than the "shrill noises" we sometimes see.
James Bannon |
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Andy.C.Wren
Member
272 Posts |
Posted - 20/02/2002 : 17:04:40
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JAB , you have my backing on this too , go for it
A.C.W |
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Bob Wyatt
Member
111 Posts |
Posted - 21/02/2002 : 03:13:48
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James,
Excellent. I'd copy that to TU Canada, even to some local chapters, because that's where the real enthusiasts are found. Some of the western chapters in the states are trying to work things out with land owners, and might have something interesting to say about that.
Wyatt |
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jab
Junior Member
81 Posts |
Posted - 21/02/2002 : 03:35:45
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I'll still leave it for another wee while, at least until next week. One has to be careful about these things. I take it that the Publishing Editor has no objection to FF&FT being mentioned in this context?
James Bannon |
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Paul King
Junior Member
81 Posts |
Posted - 21/02/2002 : 04:37:21
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Fine by me.
Paul King |
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jab
Junior Member
81 Posts |
Posted - 25/02/2002 : 10:35:08
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OK. I've posted the message to TU. Let's see what they come back with. Will let you all know as soon as I get anything.
James Bannon |
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jab
Junior Member
81 Posts |
Posted - 28/02/2002 : 12:09:55
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Quick update - Nothing back from TU as yet.
James Bannon |
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Andy.C.Wren
Member
272 Posts |
Posted - 03/03/2002 : 02:11:14
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James , please keep us up to date , thanx for the effort
A.C.W |
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hambo
Starting Member
20 Posts |
Posted - 04/03/2002 : 09:33:29
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James,
I've not been here for a couple fo weeks, but fully support your initiative in contacting TU.
Like Paul, I also support BASC. Although they are primarily a shooting organisation, they also support game angling.
However, anglers need their own organisation as many are uncomfortable with being allied to other blood sports.
Hambo |
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rabbitangler
Member
118 Posts |
Posted - 13/03/2002 : 16:43:19
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Any further developments??
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Watch your back
