COVID-19 Update for Anglers
Following the announcement on Monday evening of more stringent restrictions on movement, we would like to inform everyone that for the time being at least, Passport fisheries are being largely kept open but under different rules.
The Government’s official document on COVID-19 allows for “One form of exercise a day, for example a run, walk, or cycle - alone or with members of your household.”
While we have to appreciate that covering all activities is impossible, this statement is ambiguous when it comes to fishing. Despite the crucial “for example” many people and organisations have interpreted it as meaning that running, cycling or walking are the only activities allowed. There have also been questions over whether people should travel to take exercise. However, as the BBC pointed out last night, the Government just want people to use their common sense when it comes to this issue.
To many, fishing is just as much a form or exercise as a walk. It also has significant mental health benefits and because the Passport has tight limits on the number of people allowed onto a fishery each day (often exclusively), it is an effective form of social isolation with a very low infection risk, providing official advice is followed.
Understandably, some fishery owners have chosen to close including many clubs and Dwr Cymru Welsh Water, whose reservoirs do not have restrictions on angler numbers and whose surrounds are open to the public.
While the situation may change at a moment's notice, remaining Passport fisheries will remain open under the following provisos:
- Only one angler (or two who are in isolation together) can book, travel to or be on a fishery per day. We will monitor booking activity and cancel without refund anybody who disregards this. Where double bookings have been made in advance, we will refund all but the first booking.
- The one angler only applies to all fisheries. For Wild Stream beats, the standard rule of moving to another beat if there is a car already in the parking area must be adhered to.
- Anglers fish only waters that are local to them.
- Anglers take all precautions when visiting a fishery to protect themselves and others. This includes staying more than two metres away from anyone else, wearing gloves to open gates, climb stiles etc and to wash their hands thoroughly when they return home. If you have to stop for fuel, wear gloves when using the pump and use contactless card payment (soon to be increased to £45 maximum).
- Owners always retain the right to close their fisheries with immediate effect.
- If the restrictions on movement change or are clarified by the Government, the above could be changed at a moment’s notice.
Everyone understands the urgent need to slow the spread of the Corona virus and to do all we can to help the NHS and other frontline services to cope in the coming weeks.
But for many people, being allowed to spend a few hours alone on the riverbank will be just as important for their mental and physical wellbeing as going for a walk, cycle or run will be for others. It will also carry zero risk of spreading this virus unlike, say, taking a stroll through West London and bumping into a cabinet minister on a jog.
We urge everyone to stick to the above rules on booking and fishing. Failure to do so will result in individual fisheries being withdrawn or a total cessation of Passport fishing. First and foremost, it will endanger yourself, your family and other people.
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