Off the beat
West Lothian Angling
Association (WLAA) and Cramond Angling Club (CAC) bosses have urged permit-holding anglers to stay at home.
Bruce Hope, chairman of West Lothian Angling Association, said in a statement: "Whilst we are in the midst of what the
Prime Minister calls a national emergency, and the World Health Organisation has classed as a worldwide pandemic, I urge all of our valued members to adhere to the strict government orders.
“There are arguments for fishing as it is a sport and that by it's very nature practices social distancing and it could be classed as your one period of exercise a day.
“It is the club's position that we advise you to stay indoors.
“Our concern is that you may inadvertently be putting undue stress on the NHS if you become injured whilst wading, slip on the bank, or hook yourself.
“I fully appreciate it's a long winter with no fishing, but three more weeks won't make much of a difference to you but it will allow the river to switch on.”
WLAA look after a stretch from Newbridge to Kirkton in Livingston and Hope added: “Please stay home, stick to the Government orders, stay healthy and our beautiful trout will be waiting for you when this blows over and we bounce back."
Cramond Angling Club look after the stretch from Newbridge to the foreshore at Cramond and their secretary Joe Arndt said: “Right now the Government’s advice is that we all should stay at home and if it is not essential don’t do it.”
Harlaw and part of Threipmuir Reservoirs in the Pentland Hills will not see fishermen casting a line for some weeks after Malleny Angling suspended activity days before the scheduled opening of the season on April 1.
The announcement came only hours after cars parks in The Pentland Hills were closed and the moves are in a bid to halt the spread of coronavirus.
Jim McComb, chairman of Malleny Angling who administer Harlaw and a part of Threipmuir, said: “We all have a commitment to play our part, no matter how difficult or inconvenient that may be. “
McComb added: “Malleny
Angling recognises how devastating this action will be on our ability to fish at Harlaw and Threipmuir Reservoirs.
“The action by the Government is necessary and Malleny Angling fully supports any action, no matter how difficult that may be, to facilitate, to control and eliminate the spread of this disease.
“The sooner coronavirus is brought under control the faster we will get back to the sport we love.”
Harlaw and the section of bank at Threipmuir is closed for fishing and day permits are no longer available until the Government lifts the current restricts.
He added: “The official policy of Malleny Angling is to stay at home and protect yourself and those around you.
“When this medical emergency is over, Malleny Angling will re-open, commence stocking and attempt to get back to normal as quickly as possible.”
Meanwhile, all car parks in the Pentland Hills Regional Park are now closed.