Eden Rivers Trust Offers Interesting Stream Access Plan to Anglers

Stream access is fast becoming a big issue in the USA, which is why this post from the UK’s North Country Angler blog caught my eye. On a recent trip, our intrepid blogger took advantage of the Eden Rivers Trust “GoWild” program.

Their approach? Visiting anglers buy a guide book and “tokens,” and choose the waters they wish to fish from a list of them.

A GoWild token (North Country Angler photo)

From the North Country Angler:

It is a great scheme for the visiting angler as it offers great value and some flexibility - it’s simply a matter of selecting somewhere to fish, following the directions, posting the required number of tokens in the box provided, and filling out a return slip afterwards. The proceeds from the tickets go to the trust and landowners (and are ploughed back into sustainability and conservation schemes through the valley), and the catch returns are invaluable in assessing the health of some of the area’s lesser known waters. All in all, a bloody good idea if you ask me!

The Donny Beavers of the world will always have the upper hand (economically speaking) on the truly prime pieces of water, but the GoWild model might work on smaller secondary waters, providing income for landowners and resolving access issues for anglers.

North Country’s Matthew went fishless, but kudos to him for digging this one up. Any comments from the Undergrounders? It’s reminiscent of the Nature Conservancy’s McCloud River access scheme (limited number of rods on the water each day), but with money.

Technorati Tags: fly fishing, fishing, stream access, gowild, north country blog