drinking on the bank

[nicholaswynn]

i dont mind the odd beer now and again and one club i fish its ok to do that but the other club im in [publicity shy] do not, which is ok buy me.i would say that 5 years ago it was not unusual to see groups of lads fishing with all their cans stacked up out side there bives just like a supermarket would have, not a very good statement for fishing shakerly mere !

[fishycity]

the problem is carp fishing is now for the masses and like anything the more people get involved in this form of fishing the more peaple find different ways to unwind. drinking, smoking and niose. i remember many years ago i hated match anglers on a sunday morning. shouting down the bank, banging the bank sticks in. most of them now carp fish but with no respect for others. respect is down to one angler. yourself? are you a specimen angler or a match man from years back.... if your a specimen angler your a dying breed

[Julian Grattidge]

In a perfect world responsible anglers would be able to go fishing and partake in anything they fancied which added to the overall enjoyment of trip but did not interfere with their ability to carry out the task in hand, or interfere with the sport of another; be it a drink, a smoke, food from a tin can, or even having the radio on low to listen to Test Match Special!

It’s unfortunate that rules to ban all or some of the above have to be imposed by clubs, but as is usually the case, it’s the idiots who spoil it for the rest. I do like the odd beer when the situation dictates, but it’s by no means an ‘essential’ part of my fishing, and likewise, (on the rare occasion) when I’m on a long session and the cricket’s on, there’s nothing I like more than to have TMS playing quietly in the bivvy, but again, it’s not essential and it wouldn’t stop me fishing a water where it was not allowed.

I fish a number of waters with differing rules on all the above, and I don’t find it a problem – ultimately I’m there to fish.

[kevw]

A summers evening on a session, watching the sun go down with a glass of red or a chilled beer, nice way to relax


From a different perspective, anyone that gets involved at work with risk assessments and H&S then think about what you do on a weekend's fishing.
The margins can be deep, silty, weedy, the bankside can be slippy, uneven, steep. You use a baiting needle that can't be pulled through a boilie, has to be pushed towards your thumb and forefinger. Rigs have sharpened, barbed hooks. A 3oz lead is propelled at frightening speed with a bare hook, often towards a far margin with other anglers. You even wear clothing that makes you hard to see. If this was the workplace then you would be wearing safety glasses, gloves, hard hat and hi-vis jacket

Unfortunately we live in a no "no win - no fee" society, and a club has to put rules in place to protect anglers as well as it's fish for insurance as well as common sense reasons. Alcohol increases the risk of an accident in any activity, will even see you sacked from work, so from that point if I had a water then I would ban it completely.



But if anyone on my water had a few beers and didn't offer me one they would be banned anyway, it's their risk

[Oldfellah]

After many years carping in the Uk I finally gave up the ghost due to the rowdy behaviour caused by drink on so many venues. Over here in France the problem is that some venues not only accept heavy drinking but actually ensourage it to benefit from sales of Stella, etc. I always have enjoyed a few cans/bottles whilst fishing but cannot accept rowdy behaviour or drunkeness whilst fishing. The safe handling of carp is not easy when sober and nearly impossible when pizzed so make a choice.....either get slowly and quietly pizzed with the rods wound in of stay sober and enjoy your fishing.

[Stig]

Originally Posted by cpt

PLUS, what about the ones that get smoked off there heads shouldnt ban one without the other

That one is already banned due to it being illegal

[clueless]

I have to say i like a drink whilst on a session. I have seen many anglers who do not drink but they are completely stoned miss one toners!!! I think if you let people do one you got to let them do the other. Needless to say some owners are off it too, they accept anglers smoking dope openly but having a couple of beers is a complete no no!!!!

[BigpushyMcphee]

This topic always opens a can of worms so to say, the club i am in have now from January put an alcohol ban on all it's water simply because of the mess, litter and general behavior of the people that do use the Friday night by the lake as a regular p**s up.

Myself i do now and again like to have a beer with the lads on the bank, but when this is the case my rods are in and it's just that a social.

I agree with Julian in a perfect world we could say do as you like, but unfortunately we don't live in one

Brett

Originally Posted by Stig

That one is already banned due to it being illegal

does it stop them though? does it frigg!!!!!!!!! do they get banned for it,or do you see it in rule books,no,smokin **** whilst fishin,just as bad,should it be mentioned in rule books? no drugs on the bank!!!!!!! or would that not be politically correct?worse than drinkin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:mad :

[mancity]

On a water I spent alot of time this year there was alot of 'groups' bringing 24-packs to their swims and getting legless, especially in the warmer months.

That is disgraceful IMO.

I have had a drink whilst fishing, but only three cans from mid-afternoon to mid-night, so there was no problem there, but I have witnesses 'groups' drinking all night and then drinking again as they wake up makin bacon butties

TBH im all for the ban, and it happened on the water I fish and im chuffed....... just hope its baliffed correctly (which im 110% percent it will be )

[Stig]

Originally Posted by cpt

does it stop them though? does it frigg!!!!!!!!! do they get banned for it,or do you see it in rule books,no,smokin **** whilst fishin,just as bad,should it be mentioned in rule books? no drugs on the bank!!!!!!! or would that not be politically correct?worse than drinkin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:mad :

Cant comment on other rule books as i dont have them to hand(sent em off for renewall) but on SOTAS waters the use of drugs is completely banned and i am sure when my 2008 card drops through the door tomorrow or thursday it will say the same about drinking

Also the problem with banning someone for smoking the wacky baccy is a question of catching them . Being a bailiff i would never stick my head into anyone elses bivvy uninvited because if you do and get a wack round the head you deserve it as that is what would happen to anyone sticking their head into my bivvy after dark i dont care if you are the bailiff ,the police or the colonel in chief or the armed forces. Invading another persons bivvy uninvited after dark you do so at your own peril .

However if i was going to call back later in the evening i would ask if it is ok to call in for a brew and if i was given the go-ahead i would ask a time and quietly announce myself as i approached .If the angler in question suddenly emerged from his bivvy amongst a dense fog of funny smelling smoke i may have something to say about it. But then again the burden of proof lies with the bailiff

[Blue]

Apart from the one and only instance on the bank when I was bit tipsy and needed help finding my bivvy (cheers Bet ) I rarely drink whilst fishing! I don't like the idea of not being in control of myself or my gear. A lesson I've learned, and a mistake I won't make again.

I to, if I had my own fishery would ban alcohol. However, I would then use discretion as to whom I turn a blind eye to, and to who I say "sorry lads, no booze allowed here". Because, as has been said, there are people who enjoy a couple of cans and won't take the p1ss, and there are those who blatantly see it as an opportunity behave like drunken morons!

[philntomo]

I to, if I had my own fishery would ban alcohol. However, I would then use discretion as to whom I turn a blind eye to, and to who I say "sorry lads, no booze allowed here". Because, as has been said, there are people who enjoy a couple of cans and won't take the p1ss, and there are those who blatantly see it as an opportunity behave like drunken morons![/QUOTE]

Well Said! Totally agree with that! I just think its a shame that when its put in place it's unfair on the people that enjoy winding down with a couple of beers or wine or whatever! Im sure everyones seen the Goon Crew gettin leathered on a water at sometime, But could this not be reported straight away and the persons banned??? Maybe if there were more Baliffs present this would scare of the 2 Crate crew knowing they would be risking their cards etc?
I myself like nothing more than a couple of beers and a chat with my fishing buddy once set up and chilled out on a friday evening! But like has been said in previous posts the fishing is priority...

[Jay&Silent Bob]

I like a beer but won't drink while fishing,I personally believe it should be banned and then there's no argument. (this applies to drugs too!)
What get's me is all those stating that they like a beer to relax I go fishing to relax! Sat by the water,beautiful surroundings,listening to bird song,sun on my face,cool breeze rustling the leaves and carp on the munch ect.......i'm sorry but if you can't get relaxed from that then you have a serious problem!

Leave the beer at home or go to the pub!

[Blue]

Originally Posted by Jay&Silent Bob

What get's me is all those stating that they like a beer to relax I go fishing to relax!.......i'm sorry but if you can't get relaxed from that then you have a serious problem!

I see what your saying there mate, but I think you've taken the comments a bit to literal. A couple of cans with tea is fine IMO. I don't think people meant that before a beer, they were all tense with the shakes and needed a beer to calm down! It's just, after you've cooked yourself your meal, it's nice to sit back on your chair and soak up the atmos with a Carling or two