Latest news from Albury, Surrey

Updated March 1st

Last week was another good one with 338 fish caught between the three venues of Weston, Vale End and Powdermills. Included in this were lots of fish between 6lb and 8lb (see pics below).

We have received a large number of enquiries from anglers who have been unable to fish because of lockdown restrictions about extension of the current 2020/21 yellow fish tokens that are due to expire at the end of March. The good news is that we have decided to extend these until the end of April 2021 to hopefully give everyone a chance to get out and use their tickets. Please note the extension applies to fish tickets only, membership will still expire at the end of March.

All lakes are fishing really well. Small to medium sized lures such as BFD’s, Cats Whiskers, hothead damsels and if the weather warms up, buzzers will work nicely.

We are now open to ‘local’ season and day ticket anglers. Season members must book a slot online and day ticket anglers must book online also before fishing.

It saddens me to have to write this post but unfortunately we are experiencing an increasing level of abuse of the token system at Albury and two anglers were banned over the weekend for this. We are aware of some Anglers taking fish without putting tokens in the box. This is theft and totally unacceptable. It is also unfair on the other Anglers as it means stock levels will dwindle as restocking relies on an accurate catch return. Any Anglers caught abusing the token system will receive a lifetime ban from Albury Estate Fisheries and will be reported to the police. Please can all Anglers ensure they fill out the catch return and place the correct number of tokens in the box before leaving the Fishery.

Following a statement (see below) from the Angling Trust, fishing is allowed again. This is great news but it is vitally important that we all follow the guidelines as angling will be under the spotlight. If we see regular abuse of the guidance we have been given by the Angling Trust we will have no choice but to close the fishery.

To remain within the law you should follow the government guidance, and only fish locally within your district where you live.

Also in the next 24hrs we will be launching an online booking system for season rods to book a days fishing. You must book online before fishing.

Good morning everyone

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.”

And by Sport England here –

https://www.sportengland.org/how-we-can-help/coronavirus/return-play/frequently-asked-questions-national-lockdown-restrictions

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!

Membership – Angling Trust https://anglingtrust.net/membership/

Stay safe and very best fishes

Jamie Cook

CEO – Angling Trust

Latest news from Syon Park, London

Updated 07-01-21

Greats News!!!

We will be reopening to Season Members only from this Saturday 9th.  We will set a maximum number of anglers per day you will be able to book online soon for a space on your chosen day.

We will also not be allowing any guests. If everyone could please keep up the great work with social distancing and the fishery rules we can keep everyone safe and help to make us all feel comfortable in these confusing times.

Purchase your winter season membership online as we will not be taking card or cash payments on the bank.

To all Members fishing to keep in line with the Government Track and Trace we are asking all anglers visiting, to use the Track & Trace QR code specific for the lake at the entrance.  Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

With most of the businesses having to close at Syon during the Lock down the car park entrance may be closed on your arrival in the mornings. The car park will be opened at 8am and closed after 5pm.  You can still exit via the hotel car park at the back.

The evenings are creeping in early and the weather has not been great, but the fishing continues to be good here at Syon.  Fish are being caught on our trusted BFD’s, but all colours of Damsels are working well.

In the deeper water, around the middle of the lake and Island, an intermediate line with a small nymph on a slow retrieve seems to be attracting the slightly bigger fish.

Some areas of the lake are wet and slightly muddy after all the rain that we have been having recently, so wellingtons are a good choice of footwear at the moment.

We will also be allowing you to bring a guest but only with prior arrangement.  Please call us and let us know who and when you will be bringing as your guest.  We are also working hard around the estate, we will be around regularly but at varied times so please call us if you need catch up for tokens etc.

 Fishing permitted until Dusk . No Catch and Release Permitted.

Cash will not be accepted on the bank for Season Memberships or for Fish Tokens. They can all be purchased online or on the bank using a Credit or Debit Card

If you are a first time visitor please call the bailiff on 07956 378138 the day before to get the gate entry code. Just start fishing, we will issue your membership/entry card and tickets on the bank.   Please note that the gate entry code changes often, get used to using your card to gain entry or you won’t be able to get in!

We’ve uploaded videos of Syon Park from the Sky! You can really appreciate the seclusion provided by Capability Browns tree line when you fly over the top and see the city sprawl around us. See Lakes From Above Page.

Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @SyonParkFishery