Bridleway covered in fishing tackle!

Leam_Carrie

Leam_Carrie

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I had a rather more exciting hack than expected yesterday as we took horses out in a new area and followed a sign for a bridleway. It was next to a lake and after we had one a short distance we hit our first angler with his kit both sides of the narrow bridleway... turns out it looked pretty scary for the horses. It was the same all the way along so we turned off as soon as we could and went a very long way back (the horse were stars as there were poles, bags, little stands etc. everywhere and they general just kept going). I think all the leisure activities should get to make the most of the local area, but there aren't many bridleways around so I'm not sure if there's anything we can do... even if the anglers kit was just oneside it would be better... any thoughts?
 
If you start to use it regularly the fishermen would become used to the possibility of horses and should learn to keep their equipment out of the way. Have a word with the local Rights of Way - County Council - and ask them if an officer could go along and see what the situation is.
 
This happened to me, many years ago. A short section of one of our local bridleways runs for about 400 metres along the canal bank, there was obviously some sort of fishing match going on and about 20 fishermen seated along it, all with shed loads of equipment and those extra long poles which stretched right across the canal and all of the bridleway! I stood at the end and shouted across to attract their attention, politely asking them if they could clear the way. I got various withering looks and noone moved a thing, I ws obviously a complete nuisance. There was no alternate route so I asked my horse to walk on, well, you have never seen fishermen move so fast. Once they realised that half a ton of horse was coming straight at their equipment (so to speak) they moved it pretty quick. Im afraid fisherman are one of my little gripes (my bro in law is one and I do moan to him). They invade our local river bank at weekends, spread their stuff out all over the place, then get upset when one of my dogs goes up to investigate! Admittedly Alf did steal someones sandwiches the other week but I mean whats a dog to do when faced with an open lunchbox!!
 
Our bridle way at the side of our yard , well someone , we suspect a local farmer who keeps sheep in a field near it, put a chain and lock on it and just left the small gate open at the side, ponies could get through but big horses and mine with the carriage could struggle. Well I called the council and confirmed it was a public bridle path, and no one had the right to lock it, so today it took my bolt cutters, hammer and chisel ( just in case ) and cut the lock off, so now we can use it as intended. I posted the lock and chain through the farmers mail box at the end of his drive, with a polite note asking him if it was his!!
 
Iam not a big fan of maggot drowners as our Comany does a lot of work for the Canal & River trust and I encounter them on the tow Path all Over the Country they are notoriously dirty leaving rubbish fishing hooks and line everywhere and defecating anywhere. A friend of mine has a fishing lake and they have installed a No of flushing lavatories but they cannot be bothered to use them but he tells a great story about a maggot drowner crapping in the hood of his one piece suit and then flipping it back over his head:eek:

What I carnt understand is why have such a long pole just by a shorter one and go round the other side:D
 
MyBoyChe said:
This happened to me, many years ago. A short section of one of our local bridleways runs for about 400 metres along the canal bank, there was obviously some sort of fishing match going on and about 20 fishermen seated along it, all with shed loads of equipment and those extra long poles which stretched right across the canal and all of the bridleway! I stood at the end and shouted across to attract their attention, politely asking them if they could clear the way. I got various withering looks and noone moved a thing, I ws obviously a complete nuisance. There was no alternate route so I asked my horse to walk on, well, you have never seen fishermen move so fast. Once they realised that half a ton of horse was coming straight at their equipment (so to speak) they moved it pretty quick. Im afraid fisherman are one of my little gripes (my bro in law is one and I do moan to him). They invade our local river bank at weekends, spread their stuff out all over the place, then get upset when one of my dogs goes up to investigate! Admittedly Alf did steal someones sandwiches the other week but I mean whats a dog to do when faced with an open lunchbox!!
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That is just what this was like! I couldn't believe how little they moved, especially as the horses were finding it all a bit spooky. However, you've given me hope that it was a one-off match and we should check back and see if its like that all the time. Thanks.
 
Hairy Old Cob said:
Iam not a big fan of maggot drowners as our Comany does a lot of work for the Canal & River trust and I encounter them on the tow Path all Over the Country they are notoriously dirty leaving rubbish fishing hooks and line everywhere and defecating anywhere. A friend of mine has a fishing lake and they have installed a No of flushing lavatories but they cannot be bothered to use them but he tells a great story about a maggot drowner crapping in the hood of his one piece suit and then flipping it back over his head:eek:

What I carnt understand is why have such a long pole just by a shorter one and go round the other side:D
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I'm equally confused by the poles! There seemed to be a lot of them just lying around. :)
 
ROMANY 1959 said:
Our bridle way at the side of our yard , well someone , we suspect a local farmer who keeps sheep in a field near it, put a chain and lock on it and just left the small gate open at the side, ponies could get through but big horses and mine with the carriage could struggle. Well I called the council and confirmed it was a public bridle path, and no one had the right to lock it, so today it took my bolt cutters, hammer and chisel ( just in case ) and cut the lock off, so now we can use it as intended. I posted the lock and chain through the farmers mail box at the end of his drive, with a polite note asking him if it was his!!
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There are so few bridleways - definitely don't need to find them locked :). I think I was spoilt where I grew up as we had miles to hack over.
 
the lake will probably be run by an angling club. I would see if you can find out which one, an Internet search of the lakes name should bring it up or there maybe a sign/notice board positioned somewhere round the lake with contact details of who runs it. A polite e-mail or phone call pointing out it is a bridleway and should be kept clear so horses can safely use it hopefully should do the trick. Well run angling clubs are quite hot on things like this, discarded rubbish etc and will have a word with members who are not being very considerate
 
the shadster said:
the lake will probably be run by an angling club. I would see if you can find out which one, an Internet search of the lakes name should bring it up or there maybe a sign/notice board positioned somewhere round the lake with contact details of who runs it. A polite e-mail or phone call pointing out it is a bridleway and should be kept clear so horses can safely use it hopefully should do the trick. Well run angling clubs are quite hot on things like this, discarded rubbish etc and will have a word with members who are not being very considerate
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Thanks - that's a good idea. I'll do a search on the lake name.
 
Anglers! Pet hate of mine when I used to run. Same as you OP kit spread across the footpath totally oblivious to anyone else passing by. I used to glare and run straight at them and hurdle anything left in my way. I'd admit to being tempted on a few occasions to stamp on their rods by 'accident' and why do they need so much stuff? There is a tiny, maybe 15m across, pond near my house and I've even seen them there with bags rods umbrellas the lot. There, rant over :D
 
Sounds like the kit were on either side rather thatn over the bridleway-in which case tough, respect that they have their hobby too! If they are blocking it, then ask them politely to move it. Whats the issue?
 
Slighlty worring this thread..... as a rider and a fisherwoman I think this is a little OTT.

Where do you want the fisherman to put their tackle? We are supplied with a 2 - 3 foot peg (space) at the most, to place a days worth of tackle. I agree they should get off their backside and move it if in the way and I always have a quick look around before putting my rather large pole across the path, if anyone comes along I just say "I'll only be a min" then move it. Although now I use my rod as the space provided is just to small for any of my poles.

Also if you think horse riding is expensive, some of these poles on sale are a few houndred pounds to start and can get into thousands!! Same as most fishing equipment.

I would suggest if they don't move just say "don't blame me if my horse steps on your pole"

As to fishermen being messy leaving hooks etc about, most are not and most of them (ones I know and myself) do volunteer river bead/bank clearing, removing wragwort and other pain in the arse weeds. Most try very hard to keep the place clear and clean, makes it easier for access to the river.
 
picolenicole said:
Slighlty worring this thread..... as a rider and a fisherwoman I think this is a little OTT.

Where do you want the fisherman to put their tackle? We are supplied with a 2 - 3 foot peg (space) at the most, to place a days worth of tackle. I agree they should get off their backside and move it if in the way and I always have a quick look around before putting my rather large pole across the path, if anyone comes along I just say "I'll only be a min" then move it. Although now I use my rod as the space provided is just to small for any of my poles.

Also if you think horse riding is expensive, some of these poles on sale are a few houndred pounds to start and can get into thousands!! Same as most fishing equipment.

I would suggest if they don't move just say "don't blame me if my horse steps on your pole"

As to fishermen being messy leaving hooks etc about, most are not and most of them (ones I know and myself) do volunteer river bead/bank clearing, removing wragwort and other pain in the arse weeds. Most try very hard to keep the place clear and clean, makes it easier for access to the river.
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Always good to hear from 'the other side' as it were :)
 
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