ANGLING is smack in the middle of a genuine boom time!
UK angling has seen a sudden, then sustained spike in interest.
Venues are seeing a surge in numbers of anglers after after Covid-19 restrictions were eased. Clubs have had a surge in renewals and new members. It’s not yet known when holiday venues can welcome anglers again.
Meanwhile, tackle shops are preparing to welcome customers inside again, with safety measures, from June 15… the day before the new coarse river fishing season in England and Wales. Many are already trading again via click-and-collect, delivery or phone orders.
The Environment Agency say they have seen a boom in rod licence sales since angling was allowed again.
EA officials are still collating sales figures for the 2020 licence but predict a huge surge in England for May.
An EA spokesperson told Angler’s Mail: “We can confirm that there has been an increase in the sales of rod licences but we are unable to provide exact figures just yet.
“While we welcome the lifting of restrictions on recreational fishing and have seen an increase in rod licence applications since this was announced, it is vital that everyone stays alert and follows the social distancing rules.
“It is imperative to anglers follow the government guidance in place, limiting contact with other people and maintain a distance of two metres from other anglers at all times.”
Trust delighted with UK angling growth
The surge in angling has also seen many stillwater fisheries full of anglers, but keeping to the 15 metre apart rule while fishing.
That’s in line with the guidelines put in place by the Angling Trust and backed by the EA.
But Angling Trust policy lead Martin Salter believes there will be a boom of angling for the next couple of years.
Martin said: “There’s going to be a lot of changes to social habit, not flying abroad cheaply and staying in the UK for the next few years and I can see a boom for angling.
“I had some rod licence sales figures and the Environment Agency sold over 200,000 in May which is great news.
“And on May 11, when fishing was re-allowed, they sold 21,000 that compared to 4,000 in 2019,” added Martin.
The Angling Trust were instrumental in getting travel for angling allowed again in England.
Below are their latest guidelines for freshwater angling….
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