I have fished the canal exactly once. I went with a group of eight guys, four novices to the ditch and the other half experienced. There was a great pencil bite that morning and all it took was one short lesson from the knowledgable guys to have us all casting in sync. It's not rocket science. By the time day broke and the bite started to cool the daytime warriors showed up and tried to crowd us, I think the guy in the yellow slicker and purple pimp hat scared them off though.
As with any popular spot, it is all about common courtesy.