4th November 2020 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes
It was a rainy dismal day last Saturday at Ackers Pit but even whilst 'blanking' throughout the session it didn't dampen the spirits of Tommy Lawton aged 7 years. With his dad Wes they had gone through the motions without a single complaint from this keen young angler, albeit nothing to show for their efforts. Thankfully the well-known saying, 'everything comes to he who waits' came true on this occasion when as they started to pack-up for the day the youngsters red maggot offering was taken by one of the resident carp which he landed. I would like to bet his letter to Santa mentions fishing tackle😊
The muddy conditions around some of our fisheries haven't put members off with Rixton Claypits producing a decent catch at this time of the year for Graham Riley when he fished a groundbait feeder and double maggot for a final count of five bream around 2lbs plus and a very late in the season tench which he reckoned was around the 5lbs mark. This week Simon Oldfield enjoyed a session at Appleton Reservoir where he had twenty decent roach on double red maggot with a few on corn sorting out some better stamp fish.
The Sunday Mersey Match Series was fished this week on the Victoria Park stretch with again swollen and coloured river conditions which saw anglers struggling for bites. The match results eclipsed my last week's account of 'the lowest weights on the Mersey for some time' when the winner this week Karl Guy needed only 1-14-0 to take the winners envelope for the first time. He caught a few small skimmers and roach on feeder and maggot and was followed by Jimmy Byrne who drew an end peg with an all roach net of 1-12-0.
Our Disabled & Over 60's Monday match was fished by fifteen members this week on the Bridgewater Canal at Moore. George Barber aka 'The Breadman' was the winner with 3-2-0 of small roach taken on the pole at 11metres; I'm sure you can guess the bait😊. Ron Durr took second place also with an all roach catch for 2-8-0.
ANGLING TRUST NEWS
04 November 2020
Fish safely, locally and respect the 'rule of two' during lockdown
Having now examined the government's new Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No. 4) Regulations the Angling Trust is pleased to be able to offer some initial guidance and interpretation to anglers and fishery providers. Our formal guidelines will be published following further consultation with colleagues at Sport England and DCMS once Parliament has debated the regulations today and passed them into law.
Overall, the Angling Trust is pleased that ministers have recognised the value of allowing angling and some other forms of outdoor recreation to continue through the forthcoming lockdown period. However, the new rules are more complicated than we had hoped and anglers should be fully aware of what we can and can't do in the next 28 days.
How to Fish
The regulations are clear and you can only leave home to fish with members of your own household, your support bubble or with one other individual. The Rule of Six is now effectively the Rule of Two for most of us. The tightening of the rules on 'gatherings' means that match fishing or any other organised fishing event is prohibited by law during lockdown. However, competitive fishing will be able to resume once there is a return to the three-tier system of restrictions.
On this basis we can announce that all Angling Trust competitions are suspended for the period covering 5th November – 2nd December 2020.
Where to Fish
Angling is deemed a permissible form of 'outdoor recreation', and a lawful reason to leave home. It can take place, without time limits, within the provision allowing people "to visit a public outdoor space for the purposes of open-air recreation".
A 'public outdoor space' is defined as an 'outdoor place to which the public have, or are permitted, access (whether on payment or otherwise).' We believe this clearly includes riverbanks, towpaths, beaches and stillwaters that can either be accessed freely or on the payment of a day ticket or subscription levied by the owner or leased to a publicly available fishing association. The government clearly intends for people to be able to take their outdoor exercise and recreation in the form of angling and these regulations allow this to occur.
Fisheries are not on the published list of businesses that the government has ordered to close and there is no reason that they should do so providing that they operate in accordance with the rules
It does not permit club outings or organised amateur sporting activities of any sort. All indoor or social facilities in any way connected with a fishing venue must close or refer to the relevant Government guidance. Fishing tackle shops, whether onsite or not, can only operate a 'click and collect' service.
Travelling to fish
Whilst the government have chosen not to write their travel guidance into law we are urging anglers to respect the advice which states that it is permissible to travel in order to:
"to spend time or exercise outdoors – this should be done locally wherever possible, but you can travel to do so if necessary (for example, to access an open space)"
Put simply, you can travel to go fishing but long journeys should be avoided 'wherever possible'. Sea anglers should focus on their local beaches and fishing marks and freshwater anglers should not be travelling hundreds of miles in search of fishing during lockdown. It is up to the individual to apply common sense and act within the spirit of the government's guidance. You absolutely cannot leave home to fish if you have Coronavirus symptoms or are self-isolating.
How long to fish
There are no limits on the time that can be spent on outdoor recreation which means that anglers are able to continue fishing into and through the hours of darkness providing the other rules are observed.
Fishery Management
Essential fishery management work, which clearly cannot be undertaken from home, can continue as can any necessary, socially distanced working parties fall within the provisions for 'voluntary work'. Appropriate risk assessments must be in place and numbers should sensibly managed.
Summary
This is going to be an extremely difficult period for everybody and as anglers we must recognise that we are fortunate that our chosen form of recreation can continue even though there are restrictions on what we can do. The Angling Trust made the case for fishing based on the health and wellbeing benefits that angling offers coupled with the importance of reducing pressure on other open spaces by allowing us to continue to safely enjoy the social isolation and peace that fishing brings. It is incumbent on us all to continue to act responsibly and to fish safely, fish locally and respect the Rule of Two.
WAA Headquarters at 52, Parker Street, Warrington WA1 1LT will obviously remain closed on Friday evenings until further notice. Members can simply post to this address or put their book or request in an envelope with their payment, a stamped addressed envelope, through our HQ door where mail is collected and dealt with most days. Alternatively, you can post to Warrington Anglers Association PO. Box 71, Warrington WA1 1LR where mail is collected weekly. If you need any further information please give me a call or email as below.
I really need your catch reports coming in at this time of the year as sport slows. They are all very much appreciated by fellow members. Email frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk or give me a ring on 01928 716238.
Frank Lythgoe
RESULTS:
Mersey Match Series:
1) Karl Guy 1-14-0
2) Jimmy Byrne 1-12-0
3) Paul Fields 1-6-0
4) Jim Gannon 1-3-0
Monday Disabled & Over 60's:
1) George Barber 3-2-0
2) Ron Durr 2-8-0
3) Jimmy Byrne 2-6-0
4) Ray Boden 1-13-0
COMING EVENTS:
ALL MATCHES ARE CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE UNDER COVID 19 RULE
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