Birmingham Anglers Association

Re: Stacklands access

Not good, normally just a piece of twine, was it a coded padlock?

Re: Stacklands access

Padlocks both sides.I think the one on the left may have been coded.I wonder what terrible crime has been committed this time?

Re: Stacklands access

Thanks for letting us know, we are checking it out.

Re: Stacklands access

The gate was locked by the farmer as the field is very muddy to prevent vehicles getting stuck.

I have put a note on the website home page to let members know.

Thanks for the information, much appreciated.

Re: Stacklands access

Hi all.

I've been to see Mr. Williams today. The field is wet and the track to the carpark very muddy. As a result of cars driving off the muddy path and through the field causing more damage Mr. Williams felt he had no choice but to padlock the gate. Climbing the gate is not idea for us OR Mr. Williams as he doesn't want his gate damaged so if you do go to the fishery please climb the gate at the hinges end so as not to damage it. Mr. Williams is going to contact the club tomorrow with a view to negotiating a different way of accessing the fishery. His suggestion is to move the carpark to the entrance of the field but as I understand it that is going to involve him buying the car park land back from the club and selling the club the land at the front of the field in return. Frankly all of this is above mine and Petes pay grade. I have made a rudimentary sign informing of the fact that there is no car access for the moment but that is pretty much all we can do. I can see Mr. Williams point in as much as the field is his livelihood and he doesn't want it ruined, at the same time the club and its members need safe access to the fishery. This has been on the cards for a while due to anglers driving in the field and the club need to sort it amicably for both parties as soon as possible.

Re: Stacklands access

I assume it is ok to park on the verge outside the gate? Last time I fished Stacklands the track was extremely muddy (my tyres were seriously spinning at mid-point)and I decided to use common sense and drive alongside it on the grass for some distance. Hopefully something can be sorted - the car park adjacent to the entrance gate would be better for all (it would make it a long walk to the end pegs!).

Re: Stacklands access

Can't help but think it was something that he was itching to do, it is his only 'weapon' against the unwanted intrusion, at least there should have been a notice put on the gate, or some contact with BAA to warn members. It is a real sensitive situation I appreciate that, I just hope it can be sorted out amicably.

Re: Stacklands access

Parking on the verge outside the gate is fine. It will be an issue when there are more than 3 cars there though.

Re: Stacklands access

I remember many years ago at Avon Meadows where the farmer wasn't happy abuot the BAA having the lease, he was always there complaining about something, and actually used one of his tractors to churn up the entrance so as to make like difficult for visiting anglers. This doesnt sound quite as bad, but it's very similar.....blindingly obivous that he isn't too pleased about things.
The club won't get an extension when the lease expires.....

Re: Stacklands access

It's not leased, we own the fishing rights.

Re: Stacklands access

It's not leased, we own the fishing rights.

Re: Stacklands access

I think the picture being painted of the farmer's field representing "a churned morass" is a little exaggerated. I visited on Saturday and there was minimal evidence of cars driving off the track - a few tyre marks close to the track were all I could see, probably where members had tried to avoid being stranded. There were no marks even close to the bankside. I can understand the farmer's point of view to a point but it would have been nice to have been informed of the locked gate. As for climbing the gate - I think I'm correct in stating that is necessary to climb a gate/fence to access the third field. I assume this is acceptable? Would it be possible to have angler's access via the public footpath adjacent to the bank side in the wetter/wintry time of year?

Re: Stacklands access

not been to Stacklands, on my to do list, but there seems to be a few people all too ready the believe that Mr Williams is anti BAA or anti angling. From the posts I have seen, what he is unhappy about seems very reasonable, people in cars going where they shouldn't. If the track is too muddy for people to drive down, dont. Park where you are supposed to via the route you are supposed to. seems simple to me.

Re: Stacklands access

I would suggest that the vast majority of anglers park where they should anyway - that is what irritates me a little as the impression seems to be that the opposite is true. I know that some time ago a small number of anglers parked by the river bank which was clearly wrong and I am now aware of it happening again. Recently some anglers, including myself, obviously didn't realise quite how slippery/muddy the track was and reverted to crossing some of the field off the track - hardly crime of the century and better than being stranded in the middle of nowhere. Obviously some posters NEVER make this sort of error themselves. I don't have any issue with the gate being locked and fully understand the reasons behind it, although perhaps the farmer might have informed the BAA of his actions. Couldn't some common sense agreement be reached that in the wInter months the field adjacent to the gate is used for parking,giving virtually three whole fields for sheep to graze on? I know the BAA don't own this land, but would it really have to involve a sale of land? Hopefully common sense will prevail.

Re: Stacklands access

not been to Stacklands, on my to do list, but there seems to be a few people all too ready the believe that Mr Williams is anti BAA or anti angling. From the posts I have seen, what he is unhappy about seems very reasonable, people in cars going where they shouldn't. If the track is too muddy for people to drive down, dont. Park where you are supposed to via the route you are supposed to. seems simple to me.
You will see, each time I have been there the BAA members have been exemplary in parking and everything else. I believe this issue is not with us.
Perhaps BAA could fence off the access to the car park, and lay an all weather surface? The club own the fishing rights and I would have thought the right of access to the hut, technically it would be trespass if we drove on his land, but a sign at the gate would have helped.

Re: Stacklands access

For what its worth, I don't think Mr. Williams is anti anything. I think he had no idea what to expect with regards to the fishery, for instance he was shocked on the opening day of the season to see people course fishing on the river. Remember, this has been a Salmon beat for 50 years previously, with one angler a week at most coming onto the land. This has put him on the back foot and defensive over his property.

Mr Williams is not an angler, he has zero interest in it, he is in fairness just protecting his livelihood, i.e the grazing pastures for his livestock. If you look at things subjectively, the current track up to the carpark represents a section of the land he cant use, if more tracks appear that's more of his land he's unable to use.

I'm not trying to defend him here, I think the locking of the gate without telling anyone was wrong and BAA should have been informed first. I also think that this could have been avoided ages ago and not got to this position in the first place.

Re: Stacklands access

Fair points Wyeangler. Hopefully in future, these issues can be sorted out and we can start talking about the actual fishing on this beautiful stretch.

Re: Stacklands access

Hi thinking of going sunday is there room to park by the gate. Its a long drive don't want to arrive and no where to park.

Re: Stacklands access

There is space for about 3-4 cars.Considering river level I'd be surprised if there isn't room.