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Had an interesting ride yesterday following some faint Strava heat traces along sections of the River Earn.
Crazy trails in places, thin, precipitous, muddy, rocky, etc. Very much 'on your toes' the whole time although good fun on a gravel bike set up more like a CX bike.
Aaaanyway, point being, they would probably be a great ride in the summer, or at least very tranquil and beautiful, overgrowth depending, but feels like it might be a bit of a dick move as they were quite clearly maintained for the fishermen, there were signed pitches every few hundred meters and some quite smart huts every few KM.
What's the etiquette? What's peak fishing season? Is it an early morning or late evening type affair?
Ta
When we're paddling the rivers it's a gentle game of Rule No.1.
I will stop at empty seats or away from huts, we will have a brew or lunch. Any fishing folk arrive = see if we are in the way (the answer is we are still usually not that welcome). I have very rarely on a wet or cold day in winter sat on the 'porch' of a hut for shelter.
There is also a difference between a long walk with a strimmer maintained and a beautifully mown lawn and constructed paths which in my view becomes the curtilage of a property, therefore off limits.
I would ride or walk until I'm asked not to. I would not go in a group or post online where. I would be very polite if challenged over it.
Would you not go down tracks maintained by other folk?
All fair game in Scotland, but I only ride them if they're rideable AND actually go somewhere (rather than one-way's).
I usually go out of my way to apply rule 1/'be nice, say hi' when I'm out on a bike or paddle board. However, following multiple less than pleasant interactions, some involving swearing very aggressively at young children, I'm finding it increasingly challenging to do that when meeting fisherman, so personally I'd just be riding as normal.
Yes, this is my prejudice, and no, I'm not proud.
I walk along lots of these types of tracks, occasionally cycle them and often paddle the same stretch of river. Agree with Rule #1 approach. The fishing folk are out earning a living. I may not agree with their bankside management but its not my place to make life more difficult for them. Having said that, there is one local ghillie who thinks he owns the river and shouts at everyone. My kids came back last summer really upset as he told them they would be arrested for swimming in the river. I take great pleasure now in baiting him.
Not Scotland, but I have been bothered by fishermen - on my own land. Also heard some pretty unpleasant gomlish nonsense when fishing.
I have yet to have any problems with riverside paths in Scotland, many of which are promoted as core paths.
Probably not a goer. I reckon the land owners would play the paying customers line.
"Ensure your clients are aware that people can exercise access rights along riverbanks and loch shores, as well as on the water.". Seems to be rarely applied.
But has the land been "developed" for recreational activities? In which case no access.
Probably not a goer. I reckon the land owners would play the paying customers line.
Yeah that's fair, not anxious to disturb someone's fishing really. Just wondering when people are most likely to be there.
But has the land been “developed” for recreational activities? In which case no access.
There were definitely some sections mown and strimmed as per MOaA's post above, and sadly these were some of the nicer bits, e.g. if I were to go back and use any one section reguarly it would be the section that started as a mown and strimmed bank with a couple of bridges across streams, although became muddy field edge singletrack eventually.
“Ensure your clients are aware that people can exercise access rights along riverbanks and loch shores, as well as on the water.”.
^ this is the cultural issue I find.
I find that river banks are problematical. As others say there does seem to be a very protective and aggressive culture among our hunting, shooting, fishing brethren which is not warranted. I can go back to the grouse moor licencing thread to show the challenges faced - and let us remember the same ghillies manage the moors and the river banks...
Not sure the developed aspect would apply here. For example, you still have access on paths around golf courses. Walking/ riding a riverbank is different from unpaid fishing off it. Personally the question for me would be if there was enough room to pass without interfering with the fisherman who are also out to enjoy their time in the country. I’ve ridden these types of path in Royal Deeside and passed groups without any issue.
Hmm, depending what you read it seems like a very small window when fishing isn't happening:
"Salmon and Sea Trout 01 February – 31 October (no fishing Sundays)
Brown Trout – 15 March – 6 October
Grayling – 15 November – 15 January"
On the local angling page it suggests 'Grayling' are restricted to one loch only which would open up November - February, maybe worth confirming that one...
Personally the question for me would be if there was enough room to pass without interfering with the fisherman who are also out to enjoy their time in the country.
Ah yeah, this also. I wasn't sure if brightly clad cyclists casting fast moving silhouettes at the water's edge would ruin someone's fishing 😂
There are riverside paths on the Spey and Findhorn that are "shared" between anglers and walkers/cyclists. It's just a question of being respectful. None of them are so frequently used for fishing that I'd avoid them for months on end.