Nationals won't go ahead in 2020
Fish O’Mania and RiverFest will go ahead this year, but the historic Division 1 and 2 Nationals will not, the Angling Trust has revealed.
A few months ago the idea of any matches being fished seemed far-fetched, so the release of the Trust’s Coarse Competitions calendar this week will be welcome news to the nation’s match anglers.
However, concerns about social distancing mean the Division 1 and 2 Nationals, events that often draw over 500 participants, have been cancelled. It was a tricky decision for the Trust to make, but John Ellis of the Canal and River Trust is fully behind it:
“I’m a huge supporter of our national championships, but deferring both these events for 12 months is a sensible decision that I know most anglers will support.”
The Division 1 & 2 Nationals won’t be taking place this year.
Anglers urged to protect fish in warm weather
BRITAIN’S anglers are being encouraged to follow Environment Agency guidelines on handling fish in hot weather following an unseasonably warm spring which saw temperatures nudge 30oC.
According to Met Office figures, the UK recorded the sunniest spring since records began in 1929, with over 570 hours of sunshine registered. Clear skies and intense sunshine helped draw thousands of anglers to the banks of fisheries when sport resumed on May 13, but when paired with low rainfall such conditions can prove life-threatening to fish – especially if they don’t receive the correct care and attention.
With the hot weather set to continue into summer, the Angling Trust is backing the EA’s directive and urging all anglers to adopt good fish care practice while on the bank. This includes not fishing for barbel, chub and pike if the water temperature is above 21oC; limiting the amount of groundbait used, as when it decomposes it reduces dissolved oxygen in the water; landing fish as quickly as possible and keeping them in the water while unhooking; and not using keepnets pegged in the margins, where oxygen levels are lower than the main flow.
Always give barbel time to recover before letting them go
Angling Trust Regions Coordinator, John Cheyne, says:
“The guidance is incredibly useful and also advises that unhooking mats and nets remain wet for the entirety of the session, and that photography gear is all set up prior to fishing.
“Anything that will help minimise the amount of time the fish spends on the bank is going to ensure its safety and longevity in such conditions.”
“Barbel, pike and salmon are the species most affected when temperatures are high and they are susceptible now that the river season is approaching,” John explains.
“River levels may be low come June 16, and so will their oxygen levels – so considering whether you should wait for more ideal conditions before fishing for them is also sensible.”
Correct equiptment is essential to keeping the fish wet at all times
You have to give credit to the Angling Trust - Rob Hughes
First things first – I want to say a big thank you for the messages you’ve sent me throughout the lockdown, and also for the personal stories about what fishing means to you. There’s no question that angling is so much more than just something that we do. It’s a part of us, and we’ve got it back. Well done to everyone who has behaved impeccably and followed the guidelines thus far. It’s up to us now.
I’d also like to say a thank you to two people in particular, both key members of the Angling Trust: Martin Salter, whose knowledge and understanding of the political world allowed us to get into the heart of Government, and Jamie Cook the new CEO whose ambition and drive took us there. I genuinely believe that without these two we would still be in the queue to get out of lockdown.
It’s fair to say that I’ve been a critic of the Trust in the past. I still am in certain quarters. I joined and stepped up to the plate as an Ambassador and Consultant (totally unpaid but with loads of grief attached to it, before anyone mentions anything about gravy trains) as I wanted to help. As a sport, angling should punch its weight but it never really has.
Now look at what’s just happened as a prime example of what can be done with good leadership. Whatever you thought of the Trust in the past, let’s give the new fella a chance. Forget the old and move forwards for the future of our sport.
Jamie Cook has done a great job so far
Night Fishing - What is going on?
FISHING may be set to return in England on Wednesday but social media has been full of confusion in the last 24-hours, on whether the new guidelines permit anglers to fish at night.
Angling Times has this lunchtime spoken to Martin Salter, the Angling Trust's head of policy, who told us he expects clarification over night fishing to come from the government tomorrow.
He predicted night fishing would be prohibited but said the Trust would challenge the decision.
He told us:
"We fully believe it's an unintended consequence. If anything, it's safer to self-isolate alone at a lake at night and leads to less travel.
"It's a perverse outcome and we hope the government allows anglers to night fish very soon."
This news comes as the government is believed to be releasing guidance tomorrow, which will require people to return to their home each night. The obvious consequence of which, would be no night fishing.
We understand the Trust is frustrated by this latest lack of clarity and intend to resolve the issue for anglers.
The situation is constantly developing, but at present, it would be best advised to refrain from staying at venues overnight and keep up to date with the Angling Trust guidance before making any plans.
Night fishing could be banned under guidelines suggesting people should ‘return home each eachday’
Anglers to return to the banks on Wednesday! - Here are the new guidelines
LAST night anglers in England recieved the news we have all be waiting for - we can go fishing again!
Fishing will once again be a permitted outdoor activity in England from Wednesday 13th of May, under new guidelines set out by the UK government.
The new guidelines are in part a result of the hard work of the Angling Trust and their ‘When We Fish Again’ report to government. The report gained substantial support from MPs and anglers, with over 8000 emails sent to parliament.
Here is what we know so far about the new guidelines for anglers in England, based on reports from the Angling Trust…
Fishing permitted with members from same household
No limits on travel
All anglers must carry a valid Environment Agency rod licence
No fishing on rivers until June 16th
Two metres social distancing rules must be followed at all times, however, Angling Trust encourages fisheries to adopt pegging of at least 15 metres.
Angling Trust encourages all clubs, fisheries and anglers to follow their ‘Phase one - When We Fish Again’ proposals
Nothing in place that specifically blocks night fishing, however, the Trust is seeking clarification on this.
Tackle shops currently not to open to internal customers until June 1st at the earliest, however, the Trust are seeking government permission for shops to open earlier.
Shops urged to consider adopting click and collect or delivery systems.
Trust seeking guidance from government for onsite retail - currently only outdoor facilities may open.
Fisheries advised to follow the Trust’s guidance when providing day tickets and ensure adequate social distancing measures are in place. Consider online booking and avoid cash transactions when possible.
Decisions to open a fishery are ultimately down to the owners/fishery managers. Those in charge should not feel pressure to open, if they feel they cannot comply with social distancing rules.
These guidelines could well change within the next 48-hours as the specifics are looked at in more detail.
For more information visit the Angling Trust Support Hub.
Please note - fishing in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is still prohibited.
We can get back on the bank but keep your distance from others
Bottle that intense yearning to fish - Dom Garnett
There are infinitely more important concerns than fishing right now but when angling of any sort is off limits, the very thought of casting into your favourite swim seems like a delicious, forbidden pleasure.
Even just taking a ride along the canal near home (if you’re still allowed to by the time you read this!), you might be forgiven for feeling like a recovering alcoholic walking past Oddbins. Never mind an all-day session in the local hotspot, I’d give my left arm for just a solitary hour in a duff swim right now.
While a global pandemic will always be more important than filling a keepnet, a degree of frustration is understandable. Alarmingly, the reaction from our more vocal anglers has been rather like the classic five stages of grief, from denial – “Fishing is exercise, they can’t stop me!” to anger – “How dare they tell me what I can and can’t do?” – to bargaining – “If my neighbour can go cycling, why can’t I fish?”
Acceptance is now the only way forward. But weird as it sounds, rather than just grumbling and turning on Netflix, we should try to bottle that intense yearning to fish. Once things return to some shade of normality I believe we will treasure our freedom to get out on the bank like never before. Far from bringing bitterness, a forced absence from fishing should make us more grateful than ever for the riches we have. Because the plain truth is that we take so much of it for granted.
We just assume we can go fishing for whatever we like, whenever we like. We have one bad day at a fishery and decide that it’s rubbish. We get so fixated on catching massive fish or winning matches that we miss 101 other joys along the way. We whinge freely about problems A to Z, but spend far less breath celebrating all that is good in our sport, not least all the amazing work done for us by angling clubs, fisheries and volunteers.
Well, perhaps now, at long last, more of us might gain some perspective on what angling really means to us and our communities.
Never mind catching every fish in the lake or smashing PBs, just being out in the fresh air and going fishing in a safe, free country is a great privilege.
Regardless of what we catch, won’t that first session back feel amazing? We should make that first cast not only with happiness and relief, but a sense of deep gratitude and a renewed appreciation of just how good we really have it.
Report submitted to get anglers fishing again
A report entitled ‘When We Fish Again’ has been submitted to Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove and the Fisheries and Sports Ministers.
The report, compiled by the Angling Trust, sets out the means by which recreational fishing could be permitted and draws on experience in other European countries including Germany, Holland, Denmark, the Czech Republic and Norway. In these countries, angling has been allowed to continue under certain conditions during the pandemic. This has provided significant benefits to both wellbeing and the economy, without having a detrimental impact on their efforts to combat COVID-19.
In the report, the Trust recommends a phased or ‘traffic light’ approach to the lifting of the COVID-19 restrictions.
Phase one, calls for recreational angling on lakes, rivers and sea to be added to the list of permissible activities subject to these guidelines:
Angling to be undertaken on a solitary basis - social distancing in accordance with government guidelines must be maintained at all times.
Local fishing only – anglers must follow current government guidance on travel for the benefit of recreational activity.
All freshwater anglers must be in possession of the relevant EA Fishing licence
Sea angling from beach and shore to resume along with small scale private boat fishing.
No sharing of fishing tackle or any other items
No sharing of fishing positions (swims) except by members of the same household
No angler to fish within 15 metres of any other angler
No keepnets or competition fishing
Online and electronic day ticket payments to be made wherever possible
Onsite shared facilities such as cafes and clubhouses to remain closed
Fisheries unable to adhere to these guidelines should remain closed until further notice
Anyone displaying symptoms of COVID-19, or who shares a household with any individual displaying symptoms, should not go fishing and should continue to follow government advice on isolation.
The report has been backed by national angling and fisheries groups including the Canal & River Trust, Salmon & Trout Conservation, the Institute of Fisheries Management and representatives of the angling trade.
Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Angling Group, Sir Charles Walker MP said:
“I have spoken directly to the Minister for Tourism and Sport, Nigel Huddleston MP, to ask that angling, and other outdoor activities suited to social distancing, once again be given the green light. I explained to the Minister that the Angling Trust has produced a fantastic and detailed template as to how we can return, in a safe and responsible fashion, to the sport we love. The Trust’s plan provides a sensible and pragmatic way forward.”
Newly appointed CEO of the Angling Trust, Jamie Cook, was a key contributor to the report and is keen to get angling to the front of the queue, he said:
“We have demonstrated that angling in the UK could be permitted as a safe, healthy, beneficial outdoor activity.
“There is a large amount of evidence of the benefits angling has on both physical and mental health – it is prescribed by a number of NHS trusts as a proven therapy for mental wellbeing, and numerous military charities and organisations to combat PTSD.
“Fishing transcends social and physical boundaries, engages able-bodied and disabled participants alike, and with the majority of the population living within five miles of a waterway it can safely and practically be achieved without significant travel.”
For more information or to read the report in full, visit https://www.anglingtrust.net.
Watch the full video here: “When We Fish Again”