New best practice guidelines published by the Angling Trust to bring match fishing in line with Covid-19 procedures have been agreed by the Government as a basis for competitions to resume immediately. These include no gathering of competitors for the draw or prize giving and special equipment and arrangements to maintain social distancing during the weigh-in. Follow this link for the full story.

Anglers are reminded to observe social distancing rules when going fishing during the current Covid 19 pandemic.

Following Prime Minister Boris Johnson's announcement of the resumption of 'unlimited outdoor sports', anglers should only go fishing alone, with a member of their own household or with one person who isn't from their household. Participants from outside one household can't travel in the same vehicle and social distancing rules must be followed at all times.

As a result of the outbreak fisheries have introduced measures to keep anglers and their staff safe. In some cases these include using only every other peg, closing cafes or asking anglers to arrive with the correct change.

The decision to include outdoor activities such as angling in the first wave of newly permitted activities follows weeks of lobbying by the Angling Trust which unified the angling community and saw over 8,000 individual emails being sent to MPs and dozens of articles in the regional and national press in support of a safe return for angling.

The Angling Trust will be seeking clarification about the reopening of tackle shops and confirmation of any restrictions on how angling should be practised during the next phase.

Follow this link for further details.

Bedfordshire's Three Island Lake is to remain closed until the end of May. New opening times will be posted on the site once we have them.

The Angling Trust has launched two new websites - Angling Support Hub and Fishing Buzz to keep anglers, their families, fishery owners and angling clubs informed and entertained during the Covid-19 lockdown and help relieve some of the stress and worries people are experiencing during the crisis.

With news, views, tips, videos, advice and more the new websites even has a section especially for younger anglers! The Trust will also be sharing content from some of the top names in the sport including manufacturers, fisheries or other angling organisation which want to help people keep the fishing habit through this period. Follow the links to visit the sites.