Here below is an interesting article from the Fly Fishing and Fly Tying magazine.

Sports such as angling and golf have been mentioned as ones that could be at the forefront of the easing of lockdown, once that process starts. At the latest Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, Giles Watling MP put the case forward for non-contact sports “angling to bowls to golf” to be at the forefront of any decision to ease lockdown restrictions.

Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden CBE MP, Secretary of State, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport responded by saying that the government was “gathering evidence” on how the lockdown might be eased, and that the points Giles Watling had made were “all valid”. The Culture Secretary stressed he wants “to ease restrictions as quickly as we are able to” and he would be making the case in representations to the government’s Cobra (the Cabinet Office’s emergency briefing rooms) committee, suggesting that “the nature of the evidence will then determine the next step we take”. He added that this could only occur whenever public health evidence allows it.

Giles Watling, MP for Clacton, said the sports he mentioned were ones which many could enjoy and involved no close social interaction, and he proposed local clubs could open if they took responsibility for social distancing. He suggested that this would be good for the mental and physical health of the nation.

The Culture Secretary issued the caveat that any easing of lockdown would only happen when the government’s ‘five tests’ had been met. These include the NHS’ ability to cope with critical care; a sustained and consistent fall in daily death rate; decreased and manageable levels of infection; confidence that testing facilities and protective equipment levels can be met; and there is no risk of a second, overwhelming peak of infection.

On hearing the news, an encouraged Angling Trust said it, “has been working hard behind the scenes to make the case for the safe resumption of fishing, once the Government decides that some restrictions can be lifted.”

The Environment Agency have completed the analysis of the consultation on extending the sea trout netting season and having reviewed the evidence and all consultation responses, and considering all other factors, have decided not to extend the season at this time. Details of the consultation review can be found at:-

https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/north-east/yorkshire-and-north-east-coastal-sea-trout-fishery/

Below is a copy of a post on the Angling Trust Facebook page of today’s date.

LET’S BE CLEAR. THE LOCKDOWN MEANS NO FISHING. WE WILL SEEK CLARIFICATION AS TO WHETHER FISHING IS AN ALLOWED FORM OF EXERCISE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, BUT FOR NOW WE CAN’T LEAVE OUR HOMES FOR ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE REASONS STATED BELOW. STAY SAFE

People in the UK will only be allowed to leave their home for the following purposes:

Shopping for basic necessities, as infrequently as possible
One form of exercise a day – for example a run, walk, or cycle – alone or with members of your household
Any medical need, to provide care or to help a vulnerable person
Travelling to and from work, but only where this is absolutely necessary and cannot be done from home
Police will have the powers to enforce the rules, including through fines and dispersing gatherings. To ensure compliance with the instruction to stay at home, the government will:

Close all shops selling non-essential goods, including clothing and electronic stores and other premises including libraries, playgrounds and outdoor gyms, and places of worship
Stop all gatherings of more than two people in public – excluding people you live with
Stop all social events, including weddings, baptisms and other ceremonies, but excluding funerals
Parks will remain open for exercise, but gatherings will be dispersed.