Hi Ben,
Yep, there's a few reasons come to mind:
The same question you ask applies to someone casting on a water during the open season - No written permission therefore poaching (who can be sure they are not casting a fly) & will be chased off by the water by baliffs.
You say you were in the Don - Risk of damaging precious Redds/eggs which will have already taken a pounding this year, the levels have been that high the fish were spawning in the shallows this year.
Disturbing spawning salmon.
Casual observer may well report to police/baliff someone poaching which will require following up under the protection order.
No licence to fish, permits are only valid for the season, don't know if ur a riparian owner but if not, an angler has no written permission from the owner to be on the river with a rod.
Sets a president if allowed - How many people might we see on the rivers just 'practicing' There are still many unscrupulous people (I won't call them anglers) out there who might just tie on a lure to see 'whats in there'.
Plenty of stillwaters open to practice casting (or in the park) & plenty of time once the season opens in February.
oh aye, one more, it just doesn't seem right to me, leave the rivers & the fish alone & let them get on with their spawning in peace
