MY WIFE and I were enjoying a late season cruise down the Grand Union Canal through Milton Keynes, when it all changed, writes Geoff Lines.
Kathleen (that's my better half) was on the tiller when we espied a string of fishermen, so she dutifully slowed down to pass them, with the first one gesticulating for us to take the boat offside, which she did, nodding at the fella as we passed.
Another
But then the next one was shouting at her and waving his arms about for her to come close to the bank—the long carbon fibre pole being a giveaway, but then there was the next fisherman making signs with his hands, and shouting, and not very kindly I may add, and could not understand what he wanted, but by this time I was getting a little fed-up, noticed by Kathleen who gave up the tiller and disappeared inside, knowing me rather too well.
So I'm afraid I allowed my feelings to get the better of me, so immediately put the engine out of gear and allowed the boat to drift straight towards his keep net, at which he went into hysterics, and even still yet another of them joining in, when the first of the pair had to hastily hoist out his keep net. It is not very sensible for people to argue with a man who has a 13 ton boat at his disposable, but at the risk of upsetting many, I think that someone who spends hours gazing at a float, eventually (but not always) catches a fish then puts it back is somewhat lacking in the sense department!
More joining in
By this time there were more joining in, but by now I was in full voice and giving back as good as I received, making sure a few more keep nets were hastily yanked out and rods quickly moved. Not forgetting to tell them to clear off to a lake or something and leave the canals for the boats that they were built for. It had all back-fired, as they were ordering the wrong one. And that morning I had read Orph Mable's excellent article (It's alright for some) about how us boaters are fleeced every year, whilst the fishermen pay peanuts, that is never increased.
I find it remarkable that those poor Bridgewater boaters caught out by the breach on the Trent & Mersey had to fend for themselves, (The strange idea of fair treatment) whilst that first thing CaRT did was rescue all the fish then put them back later for the fishermen.
I don't expect that this will see the light of day, but also having had a dressing down from my wife about it all, writing it certainly makes me feel better.