River Wye - challenge from local resident

[Lazypelican]

We paddled the Wye from Ryadaer (rugby club) to Llanwrthwl yesterday. About 3/4 of the way down this section there is a river wide wave which we stopped to look at. There is a red brick property river left here and a wooden foot bridge across the river. A lady came out of one of this property and started a tirade of abuse at us from the bridge. She apparently has fishing rights to this section of the river and felt we were in an area where the salmon spawn. She was very abusive, extremely agitated, and yelling. Once we could get a word in we politely told her that we disagreed with her view. Unfortunately the second part of our group, who were a few hundred metres down, pulled up on the bank for a break - unaware of the problem we were having. This was obviously still her land as she came storming down the bank. We paddled down and told them to move on to avoid any further upset. Whilst we appreciate this was her land she was very confrontational and we would have responded readily to a polite request to move on. If you're paddling this section be prepared for a very angry and unreasonable land owner!!!

[shanclan]

I am planning to do this stretch soon, so I look forward to it. As long as she also shouts at the people who fish there I don't mind. All the science I have seen suggests that kayakers have no discernible impact on fishing habitats. Whereas, pulling fish out of the river and killing them may have an impact. I don't know, maybe I'm biased.

[Andy H]

Dont worry about it she always shouts at Boaters and her husband as well
say nothing just give her a smile and a wave (not the 1 finger wave) and carry on.