Encounter with anglers

Rather than publishing details of Geoff Lines' encounter with anglers, why not just send him back to apologise for losing his temper—which seems to be the sum total by the time one has got to the end of a rather unpleasant ramble, writes Peter Fairhead.

His wife did the right thing by slowing down. I wasn't there so I cannot  comment on how slow. Common sense then exited swiftly. I can never hear what people on the bank are saying when I'm level, let alone before I reach them. Gesticulating could mean anything. Go to the offside? You're not serious, are you? Bad boy, Geoff, don't do it again!

Avoid conflict

My late father owned an angling shop in Langport, and 20 years ago when I
first bought a boat share, I asked his advice on how to avoid conflict. He  said anglers set up a swim around their bait to encourage fish to swim to it and take it. A thrashing motor can destroy an hour's work in seconds.

Since anglers are usually fishing the centre to offside waters, stay in the middle or slightly towards the towpath, with minimum revs. Smile, ignore rudeness (just as when passed by ignorant, fast boaters), and thank anyone who has to lift a rod. It's not difficult, we're not hurrying, and slowing to a crawl has worked for as many as 120 pegs during a competition on the Trent & Mersey when we moored at Acton Bridge.

Plenty ignore me

As for anglers—like the defunct News of the World—all human life is there. Good and bad alike but mainly innocuous people enjoying a pursuit alone, or sometimes with their children or grandchildren. Plenty ignore me, but as more return a smile or wave. Read the same for cyclists (often young families), boaters and walkers, some of whom are friendly, some of whom can appear rude or aloof.

While I enjoy reading this site for its news content, and the occasional pointed piece which questions those in authority, it too often descends to poor quality pieces by grumpy old men who have found an outlet for their aspergic rants. Mine over.