Please see the attached news from the Angling Trust that Fishing has now been an approved form of exercise!
All Guildford Angling society waters will be opening again from 9am on Friday 8th January 2021, but no night fishing is permitted.
Please ensure that you read the below post and that you abide by the social distancing requirements, there should ideally be only 1 person (yourself) in each swim unless you are in the same household or support bubble.
Please take these rules seriously so that we can all carry on enjoying our sport for as long as possible.
The Angling Trust have gone to great lengths to get us out fishing again, so please enjoy it and follow the guidelines.
The Government have now formally responded to the representations made by the Angling Trust. We have promoted the huge benefits of fishing on individual health and wellbeing and have been able to present a case to which the Government have listened. On this basis I am pleased to announce that fishing will be permitted during the third national lockdown in England.
The Head of Sports Participation at DCMS confirmed the following;
“fishing is allowed as exercise so long as participants adhere to the rules on staying local, gathering limits, social distancing and limiting the time spent outdoors”
This has also been confirmed by DEFRA;
“Cabinet Office have now officially confirmed that angling / fishing (incl. sea fishing off private boats, water sports) can be considered exercise and are hence permitted.”
We have worked extremely hard to reach this position and we as anglers have a duty to abide by the strict conditions under which fishing is once again permitted. With infection rates and death tolls rising we must stick to the Government’s rules and ensure that angling remains part of the solution and does not cause problems.
Please bear in mind these key points which will be reflected in the new Angling Trust guidelines which we will publish shortly:
– This is a strictly limited resumption of LOCAL fishing and very different to how we have been allowed to operate since May
– We are in a National Lockdown and this must be respected. The law requires a ‘reasonable excuse’ to leave your home or penalties will apply.
– The government has recognised that fishing can be seen as exercise, which is expressly permitted under the lockdown rules, although outdoor recreation is not.
– Organised sporting gatherings are prohibited so no match fishing.
– The exercise is limited to once a day so no overnight fishing whatsoever.
– To remain within the law you should follow the government’s guidance, and only fish locally within the district where you live. If you have no local fishing available then you will have to take your daily exercise in other ways.
We are once again able to enjoy the sport we love at a time when many others can not and we must ensure that every angler adheres to the rules.
I would ask all anglers who are not members to join the Angling Trust and give us your support. We have worked tirelessly to achieve this outcome and that is only possible thanks to the support of our new and existing members. I would ask all anglers who value their ability to go fishing to make the same commitment as your fellow anglers have and join the Angling Trust. We are stronger together!
Matches
We organise several competitive matches throughout the Fishing Season for both Senior and Junior Anglers. Your chance to win a Trophy.
The Senior Carp Cup competition is now fully booked.
To fish a club match you must book in with our Match Secretary – Mark Edwards-Longhurst
as certain matches have limited pegs.
The draw for all matches takes place one hour before the time stated in the
fixtures list below. Anglers wishing to take part in the matches must be a fully paid up member.
The Senior Match Series is made up of 3 legs with a points system in place, prizes are awarded to 1st,
2nd and 3rd places during each round and the winner at the final round presented with a trophy. These matches
are all overnight matches. Junior Matches are also overnight, but with the support of volunteers, again there
are prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places including a trophy for the winner. This is a great learning experience
for the junior anglers and also any amateurs keen to learn more about fishing.
The club is currently looking for someone to organise our River Matches. Any volunteers would be welcome.
For entry details or more information contact Mark on ( 07984 216502) email: match@guildfordanglingsociety.co.uk
*Please note that Brittens Pond will be closed at 7AM on match days.
MATCH RULES
10 .Spodding, Spombing and Baiting poles are banned in all matches.
11 .Anglers are not permitted to be more than three swims away from their rods at any time.
12 .Only 1kg of ground bait can be used during any match with the following exclusions; maggots, casters. hemp or trout pellets.
13 .Anglers entering into any competition will not be permitted to fish the night prior to a match.
14 .Any angler not present at the published draw time will be deemed to have failed to turn up unless the Match Secretary has been contacted before the draw took place. In this case a swim can be drawn on his/her behalf.
15 .Guildford Angling Society rules as published in the rule book must be observed at all times. Any angler found to be breaking any of the above Match Rules or the rules of the Society during a match will be disqualified from that match and the series.
1ST SENIOR MATCH: Saturday 24th July 12pm DRAW, FISH 1pm TO 10am
2ND SENIOR MATCH: Saturday 21st August 12PM DRAW FISH 1pm TO 10am
3RD SENIOR MATCH: Saturday 18th September 12PM DRAW FISH 1pm TO 10am
JUNIOR NIGHT MATCH: Saturday 3rd July 2pm DRAW FISH 3pm TO 9am
JUNIOR/SENIOR PAIRS MATCH: Saturday 7th August DRAW 2pm FISH 3pm TO 9am
XMAS MATCH: SUNDAY 5th December DRAW 8am FISH 9am TO 3pm
ROY HERBERT MATCH (2022): SUNDAY 6th March 2022 8am DRAW FISH 9am TO 3pm
Dates for Work Parties for 2021
SUNDAY 21st MARCH
SUNDAY 28th MARCH
SUNDAY 11th APRIL
SUNDAY 25th ARPIL
SUNDAY 9th MAY
SUNDAY 23rd MAY
SUNDAY 6th JUNE
SUNDAY 13th JUNE
If there are any anglers out there who could help on Sunday mornings it would be much appreciated. The parties start at approximately 9.00am and finish at approximately 12.30-1.00pm. All would be welcome. Tea is always supplied.
Results
JUNIOR NIGHT
1st – Joe Edwards-Longhurst
32lbs 12 oz
2nd – Harry Backhurst
23lbs 10oz
3rd – Kaitlyn Strudwick
18lbs 6oz
