It’s time to salute the real heroes of our sport...

IT’S FAIR to say that this year has been a somewhat turbulent one for most. We’ve been acutely aware of the difficulties imposed on the nation in 2020, and have done our best to offer support to all anglers, while helping clubs, shops and fisheries too.

But what we’ve done is just a tiny fraction of the behind-the-scenes work that’s been carried out throughout our sport by readers, their families, friends, and the wider fishing community.

These people have my complete respect and gratitude, and that goes for the entire team here at Angling Times.

So, as we near the end of the year, what can we do to recognise these angling heroes and heroines? Well, this year’s National Angling Awards might be able to play a part.

Launching this week, the 2020 Awards go beyond catches, matches, tackle and places to fish. Yes, those categories will be recognised and rewarded, but there are so many anglers who made a difference by working tirelessly for their communities, their fishing clubs, and the bigger picture of ensuring we could all safely enjoy the sport we love.

We want you to help us to say thank you to them, and in our small way give them the recognition they deserve. In a special award this year, we want you to nominate your Heroes of 2020 – not for what they’ve caught or won, but for what they’ve done for others and our sport.

It might be an angler who’s a frontline worker, part of the NHS, or someone who has gone out of their way to continue to deliver safe services to those most in need during our most troubled times.

Everybody knows somebody like this, so let us show our appreciation.

Find out more, and how you can nominate these special people, on page 5 this week.