bob
you missed what I said
I was saying the ( fishing break etc ) get there fees back from the land owner as a Price is agreed then they add there bit on top sell the water then get the money from us take there bit out and hey presto that have made there money
there are waters down south where I fish and pay the owners or who ever is the looking after the river beat be it the Test: Itchen + all being long rivers
the bit about an honesty box is a bit far fetched !
i know one beat if the river keeper caught you in the river even wading ( let along swimming ) when you should not be you would be thrown out by your ears
Last point as said before you should not "tar every one with the same brush ! "
I am very friendly with a river keeper whose beat is part of the Fishing Breaks portfolio. I asked him out of interest what a day costs if one books it privately, ie not through FB. The amount was the same as what FB charges. So it is obvious that FB, and as far as I know all other letting agents do not add a premium to what the angler pays.
If you really think that the chalkstreams could be opened up to all & sundry at minimum cost and there be no damage, litter, or people taking as many fish as they can then why not persuade the beats you fish to go down that route? I rather suspect the answer would be in the form of a question. "Do you like sex & travel? Well f&ck off then!"
It is not a question of tarring everyone with the same brush, more it only needs one person to chuck sh8t around for it to stick to everyone.