There is increasing pressure from canoeists on South Cumbrian rivers. There is a canoe access agreement on the Crake, canoeists should only use the river between November 1st and March 31st. There is no such agreement on the Duddon or Kent.

This means that there should be no canoes on the river while you are fishing. Reality however is different. Any canoeists present will technically be trespassing, however this is only a civil offense, not a criminal one. Some canoeists will claim that they are not trespassing, because they are not on the land; they are floating on the water and nobody owns the water.

Generally canoeists know that there is no agreed access, they also know that there is not a lot that anyone can do about it if they do canoe.

The following code of conduct is advised :

1. Attempt to engage canoeists in dialogue. You can only do this effectively if you can get them to pull in. Politely ask them to do this. Do not be aggressive or rude.
2. Tell them politely that they have no right to be there.
   
   
3. If you are on the Crake advise them that there is a BCU access agreement which they are in breach of. Advise them that they have paddled past a sign at the bottom of the lake which has the details.


4. Iif it is a large group, with a leader - say from an Outward Bound type organisation, try to get details.
   
   
5. Usually there is no option but to let them continue after the discussion.
   


6. Never be rude or aggressive. Politeness and understanding goes a long way to limit problems. Both sides believe the situation to be inequitable in the others favor and there are strong views held.