ROB HUGHES
Fishing gives us sanity
“Fishing alone is a great way to avoid coming into contact with others”
I’VE tried to swerve talking about the obvious for as long as possible, but the enforcement of the lockdown will have a massive effect on angling and as such it’s unavoidable as a topic of conversation.
Looking at what people are saying on social media, there seems to be a grey area in the minds of many regarding whether we can still go fishing. Now, it’s clear that matches and other forms of social fishing are off the cards, and rightly so. But I’ll always champion that fishing alone is a great way to avoid coming into contact with other people. Getting out into the countryside to exercise and maintain a degree of sanity in this crazy world that we live in is vitally important.
However, the Government guidelines dictate that we shouldn’t go, so please don’t risk it. I disagree with the statutory closed river season, but I respect the ruling and won’t break the law. It’s the same situation now, but the risk of social contact carries a penalty far worse than a fine for illegal angling.
I know that behind the scenes the Angling Trust is already seeking clarification as to whether fishing is a justified form of exercise, and as such might fit into the permitted activities bracket, but nothing on this front will even be looked at for the next three weeks at least. The government have bigger fish to fry.
Anglers need to be seen to be doing the right thing in the eyes of the public for the time being, and to obey the rules that have been put in place for the wellbeing of everybody.