The problem with Free Fishing

[Anonymous]

Out of my office window in Sheffield, this afternoon, I watched 3 skinheaded youths, in the standard hoodie – jogging bottoms and trainers uniform, catching a good stamp of dace on 4 meter whips out of the River Don.
To unhook them they dragged them through the sand and grit, stood on them with one foot, pulled untill the hook came out then kicked them back in.
If that did not work they beat them to a pulp with a big stone and then dug the hook out.
When I went out and asked why they did not show any respect for the fish they were catching, it was apparently none of my business as I did not own the river (expletives omitted)
There are times I believe fishing should be priced beyond the reach of the great unwashed.

[TF_hibs02]

I agree with this if people do what these people do. I have just turned 16 and without free fishing I would rarely get out. I take care of the fish because I know if I dont there will be none left. Also free fishing is so rare where I live.

[TF_Bear361Participant]

Thing is with a lot of young ens on the bank is that they`ve never been shown respect by their parent or parents, which is why they show no one especially adults respect on the bank. They were probably surprised you actually spoke to them! Shame really because at least they were doing something constuctive by fishing and not hanging about on the proverbial street corner, although they obviously had no respect for the fish or yourself which takes me back to lack of parenting. I fished last winter on the Tame in Tamworth, although not free fishing quite a few kids were walking the bank, it was just at the start of the freezing temperatures, -5 when I arrived at the river and there was 2 lads in particular I spoke to, both in school trousers and just a school t-shirt no coats, both as dirty as hell, I asked them about being cold and they said they was freezing, but they said it was better to be out than at home!!! They stood and watched me catching nothing for ages just chatting, when they left, the one kid about 9 years old said thanks mate most blokes tell us to F, Off!!!! No wonder kids are like they are. The kids you spoke to were probably used to being told to get lost and before you even spoke to them they were already on the offensive before you spoke to them. By the way I`m not condoning how they behaved, just my opinion.

[TF_caster robParticipant]

“The problem with free fishing” is the same as the problem with “free” everything else (education, health-care, etc). Those dependent upon it are oblivious to the real cost. Once they’re reasonably coherent and fit they start blathering about their “rights”.

Free stuff is a very bad thing.

“There are times I believe fishing should be priced beyond the reach of the great unwashed.”

As should everything else.

[Anonymous]

Its likely to be the way you tackled the situation that got you the responce you got. If they where such bad lads. They would have kicked your head in for getting involved in something that had nothing to do with you.

A free disgorger and some friendly advice on the best way to get the hook out of the fish without hurting them would have solved the problem.

Rob, if there was no free fishing or other stuff like education, health-care ect. Then those kids could be breaking in to your house or giving somebody else a hard time.

[Anonymous]

I do not agree True Blue that it was nothing to do with me, and spent some time calming down and thinking through my approach. I was well aware of the risk I was taking but could not stand by and watch what was probably the worse case of fish abuse I have seen in fifty years of fishing.

My brother and I started on free fishing, nor were we little angels, but the materialism of the last 20 or 30 years seems to have bred a ‘have not’ section of society that respects very little – not even themselves.

They will no doubt be back – I will sort out some disgorgers, and try not to get my head kicked in.

[Anonymous]

RJM, i,ve worked with hundreds of young people with challenging behaviours/childrens homes ect in Liverpool. Most of these kids are written off by the likes of Caster Rob and our society as a whole. Im not saying that its got nothing to do with you. Its how its done thats importent. The fact is that most are just kids who dont know any better and are use to being told off and given very little chance. Treat them lads with a little bit of understanding and some respect and they will learn. Its normally about educating in the right way and then allowing them to get on with it in there own way. Give them a disgorger and they will use it. At least while these lads are fishing. There not looking for the likes of Caster Rob to mug and abuse.

[TF_eels]

If the free disgorgers don’t work i suggest a lump of 4by 2 to the back of the head and watch them float down stream!

[TF_caster robParticipant]

“Rob, if there was no free fishing or other stuff like education, health-care ect. Then those kids could be breaking in to your house or giving somebody else a hard time.”

What, is that all they can think of?

“RJM, i,ve worked with hundreds of young people with challenging behaviours/childrens homes ect in Liverpool.”

What does that sort of work consist of?

[Anonymous]

What does that sort of work consist of?

This work consists of working with (as you call them), the great unwashed.

Job title is Residential Social Worker. Although, im a qualified Registered Manager. Look up job discriptions if you want, Rob. That would only cover 10% of what a RSW/Manaer does.

[TF_Fred Davis]

Some Kids these days have no respect for adults or any form of authority, the problem is the do gooders and the human rights act, they know you can’t give them a clip round the earhole for misbehaving, trouble with most parents especially women is the attitude that they either don’t care about parenting or have the attitude that my little angel would never ever go out rioting etc, discipline was always taught in schools with the cane and the slipper which I dare say most of the older generation suffered as well as lines, detention etc, sorted most of us out, am I in favour of discipline which includes some minor physical punishment? yes and the death penalty for murder and treason (that should sort out the bomb plotters), however years ago there were more community centers where kids could go, our generation were by todays standards poorer kids however most had respect for each other and the older generation, thankfully most kids turn out ok but there is no early deterrant for those hell bent on creating mayhem. At least you had a word even if it fell on deaf ears. dripping water does wear away stone hopefully.

[TF_caster robParticipant]

Looks like you get free board and lodgings with a collection of wasters, at enormous expense to us taxpayers.

Where does the work come in?

[TF_Copo]

Just a thought, why didn’t you phone the Environment Agency to see if they could “pop down” to the river whilst these idiots were there?

What’s the betting they didn’t have a fishing license, and what’s the betting the gear they were using was probably stolen!!

[Author]

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