A Cowardly Threat!

 Photo 01 - vibrant autumn colour courtesy john Wright

A Cowardly Threat!

The following comment was received on Wednesday, as you can see some of it is gobbledegook, some words appear to be random with no logic thought train and finally I assume is a threat from one who chooses to remain anonymous! This non angler is obviously at the top of his game seizing on one of the hottest angling subjects of the day – calling roach vermin! Most people when they have a gripe write in (clearly highlighting their gripe) and ask for an explanation of their concern, not this fellow though he spouts some nonsense then (I think) goes on to threaten me! Had I just published the comment it would probably be missed by many of our readers. I feel it deserves maximum exposure as it highlights an attitude often seen in Muppets that places the future well being of angling in severe jeopardy!

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "An autumn day Salmon fishing 2":

“So Roach are vermin...?

What does that make you? A parasite...?

As the good Mr Clarkson said, you should be taken out and shot in front of your club members as a deterrent to idiots who hide behind their little blogs and pedal their drivel.

What your back my friend...your a marked man!”

 Dear Anon,

Let’s look at what you have written, “Roach are vermin” indeed they are in my opinion, and if you don’t like that description then clear off and read some other blog! You will find many who are of a similar opinion, just look at the endangered Charr in Windermere being outcompeted for food by introduced vermin, the same applies in many other lochs! If I wish to call Roach (or any other fish) vermin that is my right, as it is your right to call them exalted gods if you so wish! Roach in their own natural environment are tolerable but where they have been illegally introduced to the detriment of indigenous species they are vermin!

For your enlightenment the following species are also considered to be vermin by certain factions of the angling fraternity. Carp, Perch, Rudd, Eels, Pike, Grayling, Trout, Pumpkinseed and there are probably many more that do not immediately come to mind! Try and do a little reading and you will be surprised at what you can discover! I would have been more impressed if you had joined in the condemnation of the likes of Dangerman who carried out mutilation to the fish he caught! Your thoughtless comments whilst having comedic value do nothing to further the aims of real anglers!

What appears on this blog is down to me! If club members are upset or outraged by what I have written, they have the right to censure me! You however have no say at all!

“what does that make you? A parasite?” I’m really struggling to follow what you are trying to say here! When you ask a question and answer it yourself you could use any derogatory word you like, so if in your view I am a parasite then that is the case, it is your view for god’s sake are you not aware of this! Your words are very disjointed and devoid of logic with guesswork being the main tool when trying to decipher what you are trying to say!

“As the good Mr Clarkson said, you should be taken out and shot in front of your club members as a deterrent to idiots who hide behind their little blogs and pedal their drivel.”

I’m glad you have a view on that clown Clarkson, even though I do not agree with it! It may well be that I should be shot in front of the club members, but that would be for the club members to decide, you, my dear fellow would have no input into such a process!

I believe we have spoken before as the words you pen are the same puerile comments that you left on a previous occasion, again I might add anonymously! That being the case I will give you the same answer that I gave you then – I am not hiding behind my little blog as you erroneously suggest, everyone knows who I am! Specsavers may be an option for you as clearly you have not seen my name at the end of every comment I make! Oh and “little” blog is not really appropriate these days as we regularly attract over one thousand loyal readers every month from all over the country (see Google map below) with more viewing every week which makes this an ideal platform to expose you and your kind!

 Photo 02 - Where our visitors come from, sorry but its a photo of laptop screen, note the Irish numbers

Might it be that as before you are hiding behind the veil of anonymity? I think that this could be the case! Have you not the wherewithal or the courage to identify yourself?  Actually I am beginning to sympathise with your wish to remain anonymous as I know a good few people who if they had written the type of tosh that you have, would insist on remaining anonymous for fear of being ridiculed as a prize Muppet!

Catch the end of my drivel for a killer punch!

 “What your back my friend...your a marked man!” Now this is a stab in the dark and forgive me if I have deciphered your words incorrectly, but did you mean to say “watch your back”? Let me clear something up for you! I don’t know what your geography skills are like but this country we live in is not Syria or Iran! In this country Scotland or the UK whichever you prefer, we have a concept called free speech which basically means I can write anything I like.  As can you!

But I would temper that last sentence by saying do you not think that you should think a little about what you write? Some evidence supporting what you say perhaps, but that begs the question do you know and understand what you have said?  Perhaps some logical flow/ coherence to your words, reasoning or information to benefit your fellow angler, instead of anonymous threats might serve your cause better. Although I must admit I am struggling to discern if indeed you have a cause other than subjecting yourself to mass ridicule! The concept of flowing prose seems to have completely eluded you! If you cannot argue your way out of a paper bag then why not try and improve yourself instead of making a complete fool of yourself by posting a load of nonsense! Are we not here ultimately trying to further the sport of angling by sorting the wheat from the chaff, I have grave doubts that making idle threats progresses that aim! 

 Photo 03 - Biggest flock of Mallard I've ever seen on the loch.

Most real anglers I know would deplore your twisted train of thought and absurd threats! Angling I am sure does not need bully boy types devoid of thought and reason as you appear to be! The aim of most real anglers is to raise the public profile of angling, by improving standards of behaviour, levels of understanding and relations with the wider community! Your contemptible stance is anathema to me as it is to the angling community! The sport of angling is significantly poorer with your kind on board; angling is not well served by thought free thugs and bully boys! I shudder to think of youngsters entering the sport with you and your type as role models!

I enjoy very much when people write in with views whether or not they agree with me, I’m not so keen however when I have to waste my time putting the commenter’s words together in a myriad of ways to see if any sense could be made of them, I’ve never been too keen on word puzzles such as you have submitted!

Oh and just a little bit of advice to finish with, you may think your comment is anonymous as indeed it is to me and all the other ordinary PC users worldwide. However do not allow yourself to get too cosy under your perceived blanket of anonymity! The blog servers Google know exactly who you are as a record is kept of all internet actions, your IP address has been indelibly logged! They would not divulge your identity to me but they would be compelled to do so if instructed by the police or the courts! Just a little something for you to think about!

Check this website out it explains the above in simpler terms!

http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/mediaberkman/2009/09/17/radio-berkman-130-adventures-in-anonymity-part-one/   

Now Anon,  if this information has suddenly brought you out in an all over cold body sweat try new “Sure” Ultra Dry antiperspirant for men, it’s really good stuff!

 Photo 04 - You're never alone, a wee visitor yesterday!

Please do feel free to respond to my musings, I (and many others) am waiting with baited breath to hear your justification of what you have written, in particular your pigeon hearted threat! In my view an individual who has to resort to making threats anonymously because he is so bereft of knowledge, and unable to conduct himself in a civilised manner cannot be considered to be a member of the brotherhood of angling or righteous society for that matter! Take a good look at yourself and compare your thoughts and actions to the ethos of the lads of the TVMRT (who are a benefit to society) in the snippet below!

Penning this article was a difficult decision, having to weigh up the negative effects of publicising your despicable views against the benefits of showing to the wider angling community that within our ranks there still lurk execrable people like you, people who bring no credit to the sport of angling and excel only at tarnishing the reputation of decent responsible anglers countrywide! Your ignorance was pivotal in my decision hence my decision to expose your reprehensible attitude!

My dear fellow there is no place in angling for thugs, Ned’s or bully boys!

Fie Mr Anon, Fie!

Regards

Richard

Video of an angry loch

Ian was out again later that week when the Kirkstead burst its banks and captured this short video showing a violent scene of Mother Nature’s wrath! At the end of the railings which are part of a bridge is the road to Bowerhope and Arrabella’s (a horse) field to the right where she resides, grazes and entertains visitors in the summer. Of course Viv her owner moves her to safe pastures for the winter which is good news. The force of the water is immense and whilst there are many frightening things encountered in our journey through life, Mother Nature in a sea of red mist must be among the most frightening!

Thanks Ian for permission to use this excellent video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hutdjem5Jd4

High waters again battered our trees and bank works at Kirkstead a cursory glance yesterday revealed that we may have lost a few more trees. Our bank work however remains firmly in place. It’s just a pity our work is being subjected to such a huge test in its first year. We shall see how it goes!

 Photo 05 - The TVMRT new Landrover it's a brute!

Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue Team (TVMRT)

I was recently called to carry out some repair work for this organisation at their base at Peebles Police Station. Their brand new LWB Landrover required some rectification to bring it back to pristine condition and I was happy to oblige! This vehicle is a real piece of work with radios, powered winches, capability of carrying eight people and has all the acute medical equipment to treat and transport an injured member of the public.

And who are these lads? Well they are all volunteers who give up much of their spare time to train in the latest medical methodology and logistics associated with rescue!

I was fortunate to have been able to speak to two of the lads and could do nothing but stand in awe of their actions in conditions that would have most of us welded to a blazing fire!

These lads are unsung heroes putting their well being at risk to save others. The rewards are not monetary but the satisfaction on a job well done must be immense! Visit their website and have a look at the capability they have it will be a most gratifying time! If you see their Landrover travelling the roads around the lochs give them a wave! Yes the stuff that righteous society is built on, selfless people who give freely of their time for the benefit of others!

http://www.tweedvalleymrt.org.uk/?node=main

Membership Renewals

Renewal applications are now being accepted for the 2012 season. There is no increase in the membership fee of £30.00, a fee which we have managed to cap since 2004. Members desirous of membership renewal should send a cheque for £30.00 to John Wright 8 Castle Place Dunbar EH42 1JD 

Recommended dealers

Mike who runs Fishers Direct sent me a mail with some of his latest offers. Have a gander and see the bargains he has on offer. I have a most positive review on the trace tube next week!

http://www.fishersdirect.com/chub-vantage-all-weather-suit-incls-jacket-fleece--overtrousers-902-p.asp

http://www.fishersdirect.com/greys-prowla-trace-tube-212-p.asp

http://www.fishersdirect.com/greys-prowla-forceps-208-p.asp

http://www.fishersdirect.com/pike-flies---popular-selection-of-our-best-selling-pike-patterns-96-c.asp

Thanks for this Mike look forward to your next selection. Our recommended dealer in Galashiels J & A Turnbull (no website) also has some super offers on for the festive period. If you are local get down to Bank Street and check out the bargains. Naturally vouchers are available for those unsure of what to get – a great option!

The wider world in my view!

The future of the country always looked decidedly shaky in Lord Snooty’s (David Cameron) hands. His latest blunder however could see us sunk good and proper! Twenty six countries together and one (UK) out in the cold! Estimates vary on how much we depend on the European Community for trade deals suffice to say it is significant! The fool has made himself 26 new enemies at the drop of a hat. Merkel and Sarkozy will see to it that little is directed our way in the way of free trade and who could blame them! It’s a case of you are with us or you are not! We are now not with them! Bungling Bill Hague said that the bulldog spirit will see us through; the only problem is that the bulldog spirit was last in vogue in the colonial era now long gone! We are now as Napoleon said “a nation of shopkeepers!” The only careers and I use the word in its loosest possible sense available to the youth of today is part time work in the supermarkets of ASDA, TESCO et al. A mind numbing prospect whichever way you look at it!

The Bill Cash’s of the Tory party are overjoyed at how Lord Snooty stood up to the Europhiles, the problem is though it’s all very well to shout louder than anyone else and gesticulate in a more theatrical manner but such tools are without value if there is no analytical thinking behind it! Shame then on paper tigers, puppet Nick Clegg and clueless Ed Milliband for their weak responses to Lord Snooty’s staggering gaffe. There is still time for Snooty to correct this catastrophic error and get us back on board the European ship before we flounder and sink without a trace!

Stop Press!

The excellent Countryfile programme on BBC 1 today featured a very interesting article on the Arctic Charr in Wales. If you missed it catch it on the BBC I player, a superior piece of TV when compared to the current dross on offer, viz X Factor and Strictly Come Dancing!

 http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b018h7pt/Countryfile_11_12_2011/