Anglers have always been an agile lot, any crack in the fence or slack in barbed wire quickly exploited for fishing purposes. We’ve scraped flesh, twisted ankles, and occasionally needed ambulances and the Coast Guard to return us to safety.

As the press of people grows, and mindful that the largest growth in outdoor use is wildlife watchers, are we suddenly at the mercy of large insurance companies and their stiff premiums?

My saltwater-youth was largely the San Francisco waterfront – which was a thriving commercial enterprise; freighters would dock and depart and were impervious to the 4 ounce pyramid sinkers we flung in their direction.

With the demise of the freighter traffic and the collapse of the freeway during the Loma Prieta earthquake, the waterfront was rebuilt and gentrified to make the area attractive for tourists, dog walker’s, and inevitable “40 is the new 20” jogging crowd.

So which group do we exclude?

However the local water board has banned fishing on the dam wall after a number of anglers sustained minor injuries slipping on the rocks. Anglers are also banned from most of the rest of the reservoir for fear back casting will snare a passer-by, although this has never happened in the forty years since the reservoir was built.

It’s merely a footnote about a UK impoundment – banning fishermen from fishing for fear they might hook a passersby, but this type of contention for a resource is liable to increase.

The urban waterfront is likely at risk, with voters pedestrians outnumbering anglers by many hundredfold, but with the press of humanity expanding outward, marching under the Political Correctness battle standard, will this be an issue for some of our freshwater venues as well?

It’s too early yet to tell, but it’s likely each of us knows of numerous spots close enough to a parking lot, or within the confines of a wildlife sanctuary, where anglers and non fishermen intermingle.

Soaring insurance premiums endured by the owning counties and cities are a compelling reason to side with the less agile pedestrian – as they’re not tempting fate by repelling down a cliff face, or being stranded at high tide as we are.

They’re still debating whether to bill the 134 ice fishermen rescued off Lake Erie this year. It could be we’re headed for a wakeup call.

It does beg the question of why that breakwater was created. The intent was to protect the boats and harbor – but if they’re no longer a factor, who has first dibs? Certainly, fishermen scampered over the greasy rocks first – but now that the city has installed a path and landscaped the aging edifice, and it’s used by a mix of folks – what now?

We’ve seen how lawns vote more frequently than fish, it’s not unexpected that pedestrians will vote more than fishermen.

Some well intentioned angling organization gains public access to a formerly private creek, installing parking lot and riparian protection – and in so doing denies us fishermen from ever using it due to more frequent use by birders?

Ouch.

It’s jarring everytime I see it mentioned. I’m not sure whether to insist it’s a sign of the times, or Goodwill Industries is a new tackle juggernaut in the making.

My casual count shows eBay tackle sales on the rise, and if it didn’t sell there – is Momma winning, and we’re laying down our arms?

Apparently Goodwill and FLW Outdoors are fielding a team for the pro Bass circuit. Goodwill’s angle is to tap the festivities for clothing donations – but if Father Joe is funding orphanages with used cars, can Goodwill do similar with last year’s bass boat donation?

With the recession-assisted withdrawal of the high dollar sponsors, there’s plenty of room for charitable causes. Angling and charity are a natural fit; us fishermen have always been keen on donating tackle to tree limbs and stream debris –  we could wind up their richest catch yet.

You’re a soft touch and you know it …

“I’ve even had an angler tell me that those who fish and dogs are the only two who need to wear a license around their neck.”

I’ve been “collared” for the last couple of years and haven’t had much issue, but a California Sportfishing group is apparently taking the Department of Fish and Game to task over the requirement that your California license be in plain view.

I admit that the license clashes garishly with my Pith helmet and red suspenders – but the lack of fashionista lounging in brown water allows me to skulk from bush to bush without incurring a social faux pas.

Maybe if I owned “six pack” abs – instead of carrying all them cans, I’d complain more.

Mine is clipped onto the fishing vest which makes it easy to remember, but I suppose the casual salt water crowd has to remember to attach it to something – and if the fishing is slow and the suntan more important, I suppose they’ve an issue.

The McCloud comes to mind. Everytime I’ve clawed my way through brush and undergrowth to the water’s edge – it was to find something missing off the vest. Perhaps I’ll have a chance to complain later this season.