River Spey anglers await guidance on return from lockdown from Scottish Government
An announcement that angling could be one of the first sports to emerge from lockdown has been welcomed by a prominent angling group.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon revealed earlier today that the Scottish Government may ease some restrictions on local area angling when it sets out its framework and timetable for changes to lockdown this Thursday.
A spokesman for The SGA Fishing Group said: “We would welcome a return to local area angling and outlined to Ministers last week how we feel this may be done safely, minimising the risk of Covid-19 transmission.
“We await to see what Thursday’s announcement brings – and the Government’s timetable for any changes– but allowing a limited and staged opening of fisheries to local anglers would see people benefitting from the physical and mental health benefits of getting outside and into nature.
“Angling is a solitary sport and can be carried out with minimal, if any, contact with others.
"Social distancing is achieved very easily. Obviously, public health must continue to be the principal concern nationwide but we see no reason why local area angling cannot be compatible with that goal."
Skye of Curr based Charlie Whelan, the group's ambassador, stressed that it would have to be for local area angling at this time.
He said: "We only hope the Scottish Government are sensible about this. Many beats on the Spey are private and rely on visitors from all over the world and obviously these visitors wouldn’t be welcome just yet.
"However here in Strathspey we have a number of local angling clubs and it would be appropriate for them to open for local anglers."
The SGA Fishing Group is a stand alone fishing arm of The Scottish Gamekeepers Association.
England, Wales and Northern Ireland have all announced their intentions to enable some local area angling.
Golfers and tennis players will also be hoping that they can start making a return to their sports on the back on the road map being laid out later this week.
