Wheelchair anglers

[Wheely reels]

Hi folks

I just wondered if there were any other wheelchair users who enjoy sea angling. I use the term ‘enjoy’ loosely but as a full time wheelchair use I wondered if there was anyone else as daft as me getting out there and drowning worms. I would like to see if there are any other wheelchair users so that we could share hints and tips with each other.

Cheers
Wheely (Dougy) :thumbs:

[Fisherman333]

My Dad uses a wheelchair and goes freshwater fishing from time to time.

He's made a few handy little adjustments to his chair - for example, he's got a tray that he clips over the side of the chair that's useful for putting bait, hooks, scissors, etc on.

He's also velcro'd a few hooks to the side (allowing for easy removal when you're folding the chair way in the car, etc), so he can put a rod rest in the ground in front of him and then he can lay the rod down on the side of the chair - makes him look like a right match fisherman!

[David Gould]

Hi folks

I just wondered if there were any other wheelchair users who enjoy sea angling. I use the term ‘enjoy’ loosely but as a full time wheelchair use I wondered if there was anyone else as daft as me getting out there and drowning worms. I would like to see if there are any other wheelchair users so that we could share hints and tips with each other.

Cheers
Wheely (Dougy) :thumbs:

Dougy,
for a bit of detailed help & advice send a PM to " sallysludgebucket ". ( Joanna) she is well versed in such things and she is heavily involved in the BDAA ( BRITISH DISABLED ANGLERS ASSOCIATION )

[Wheely reels]

Thanks David, I will do that.

Cheers

Dougy

[kato]

The BDAA does nothing really for Disabled Sea Anglers. Thats what I was told a while a go - it's more for Freshwater Angler's.

I am a member, but was told that they don't have a Sea section - perhaps things have changed.

[Wheely reels]

Hi Kato
That was my thoughts as well but I will contact them and see what they have to say but surely if it is an organisation for British Disabled Anglers they need to cover sea angling as well.
Cheers
Dougy

[Shaunfish]

Hi wheelyIm Disabled but havant got to the wheelchair stage yet (i have ms) and love sea fishing although havant caught anything yet lol we always live in hope,

is there any anglers Swindon based

Shaun

[Rhino213]

I was fishing at Eastney about a month ago noticed a section of rubber matting that had been laid on the beach heading towards the sea. It had a sign next to it explaining how it was built to allow wheelchairs access to the beach.

I walked along it thinking that it would take me right down to the waters edge and would save my little legs from getting tired lugging my seat box across the shingle.

As you'll notice from the map on the end of this link http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=50.782488,-1.057793&spn=0.001564,0.006759&t=h&z=18 the path ends after about 50 yards and that still leaves you a good 40 or so yards from the waters edge. I laughed my backside off at the pointlessness of the path at the time but I can imagine that quite a lot of people have been down there and have got quite annoyed by what seems to be literally a road to no where.

I wish the council would spend our money on more sensible stuff that actually allows access for wheelchairs.

[Ian Houlton]

Hi Kato
That was my thoughts as well but I will contact them and see what they have to say but surely if it is an organisation for British Disabled Anglers they need to cover sea angling as well.
Cheers
Dougy
I think they are, or may be starting to look at this.
it aint their fault, they have a need for coaches (sea angling) and cannot do a lot without themm really apart from find accesible marks.

[jazyjif]

I was fishing at Eastney about a month ago noticed a section of rubber matting that had been laid on the beach heading towards the sea. It had a sign next to it explaining how it was built to allow wheelchairs access to the beach.

I walked along it thinking that it would take me right down to the waters edge and would save my little legs from getting tired lugging my seat box across the shingle.

As you'll notice from the map on the end of this link http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=50.782488,-1.057793&spn=0.001564,0.006759&t=h&z=18 the path ends after about 50 yards and that still leaves you a good 40 or so yards from the waters edge. I laughed my backside off at the pointlessness of the path at the time but I can imagine that quite a lot of people have been down there and have got quite annoyed by what seems to be literally a road to no where.

I wish the council would spend our money on more sensible stuff that actually allows access for wheelchairs.

i noticed this aswell. if you were able to cast 300 yards we would be ok. bit silly really isnt it.:)

[top cat]

i tried to get the BDAA involved in getting the breakwater at newhaven re-opened as it was a prime example of a safe place for wheelchair users to fish from.
i still have had no reply after many e-mails and phone calls.
i think its mainly fresh water they promote

[are soles fish?]

I fished this venue last Sunday, it is ideal for wheelchair anglers ramps, parking. there is also toilets 2 pubs and a restaurant within view of your rods. Biggest plus is that there are fish in the river to catch. And only a short cast is needed 20 to 30 yards.

BIG HAND TO THE LOCAL COUNCIL

[Shaunfish]

I fished this venue last Sunday, it is ideal for wheelchair anglers ramps, parking. there is also toilets 2 pubs and a restaurant within view of your rods. Biggest plus is that there are fish in the river to catch. And only a short cast is needed 20 to 30 yards.

BIG HAND TO THE LOCAL COUNCIL

Dont tell every one you only have to cast 30 yds there will be loads of people there :roll1:

[Wheely reels]

Hi folks and thanks again for all the replies. I have actually been in touch with BDAA, in particular Terry Moseley and he is going to have a chat with me regarding this matter but as pointed out in one of the replies, coaching is a problem and this is something that Terry wants to discuss.
I have to say that they are at least looking at the sea angling side of things so this has to be a massive step forward (pardon the pun) but hopefully there will be more in the way of facilities for people who want to go sea angling.
I will keep you all informed on how I get on.
Thanks again
Wheely (Dougy) :thumbs:

[Bodvoc]

I am fully abled but, I take several Wheelchair users fishing, both sea and coarse... And whether we catch or not, we have a great day out :icecream:

Finding a good mark, that is accessable is sometimes harder than you would like to think, but pier, quay and even some beaches have proven really good :thumbs:

But sadly, coarse fishing around here is pretty much screwed up because of the Angling Associations... and their fees for disabled members, £90 per year is average, and as a support worker, I have to pay full price (£150) even if I don't fish!!!! And day tickets range from £10 - £20 each, again even if I am not fishing :thumbdown Which to me smacks at being discriminate against disabled anglers :mad:

The few free spots are not accessable by wheelchair, and some are so hard to get to even I cannot get to them :sad:

But we get out to a few private lakes, and do a lot of sea fishing, with spinner rods or poles, and make the best of the funds we have to make the day a goodun.. Rain or shine :thumbs:

[gulp me drug]

I am fully abled but, I take several Wheelchair users fishing, both sea and coarse... And whether we catch or not, we have a great day out :icecream:

Finding a good mark, that is accessable is sometimes harder than you would like to think, but pier, quay and even some beaches have proven really good :thumbs:

But sadly, coarse fishing around here is pretty much screwed up because of the Angling Associations... and their fees for disabled members, £90 per year is average, and as a support worker, I have to pay full price (£150) even if I don't fish!!!! And day tickets range from £10 - £20 each, again even if I am not fishing :thumbdown Which to me smacks at being discriminate against disabled anglers :mad:

The few free spots are not accessable by wheelchair, and some are so hard to get to even I cannot get to them :sad:

But we get out to a few private lakes, and do a lot of sea fishing, with spinner rods or poles, and make the best of the funds we have to make the day a goodun.. Rain or shine :thumbs:

Organisations have to make "reasonable adjustments" to allow disabled access. Laying new paths and dozens of ramps might not be considered "reasonable". Allowing a non disabled supporter/carer in for free certainly is.....if not fishing.

Might I suggest you get one of your disability organisations or law centre on the case?

[Bodvoc]

Organisations have to make "reasonable adjustments" to allow disabled access. Laying new paths and dozens of ramps might not be considered "reasonable". Allowing a non disabled supporter/carer in for free certainly is.....if not fishing.

Might I suggest you get one of your disability organisations or law centre on the case?

I have, the Council, the Local Counsellor and also our MP and even the Environment Agency (Licensing Dept)... Answer is always the same NO. The membership cost is there and set nationally, not negotiable.. A non-fishing guest (such as myself) still has to pay.. Just in case I touch a rod... :black_eye

Even the local Disability organisations & law advisory centre can't find a loophole to get around it, seems that they can charge, set the rules and exclude anyone they wish.. legally... It seems that they have a sort of “Law” on their side.. :sad2:

And even when asked the angling association concerned, if I could become their coach, but only for the disabled/special needs clients I have, (and I pay the FULL price, but my clients allowed to fish as a guess).... I get a firm NO! :banghead:

Cheapest option we can do is, £10 - £20 each, for two hours river fishing.. :thumbdown and have to pay again each and everytime we go..

I wouldn’t mine if we took over the river or lake on mass.. 300 or 400 of us going at a time.. Wrecking the river bank with loud music or noise.. No, it is one guy (or gal) with me (their support worker), and we are only there for a max a couple of hours, during weekdays and only between 10am and 5pm…. and only if it is dry... What really is their problem?

In my book, it is out and out discrimination, as all the best spots are run by an angling association, and they won’t make any allowance for Disabled or Special Needs anglers, who can go fishing if they have a support worker with them :sad: