April Update

Albury Estate Newsletter

Dear members

We hope you are all managing in these strange times.

Following the governments advice to restrict all but essential travel and the subsequent advice from the Angling Trust that all Fisheries must close due to Corona virus we have had no option but to close the Fishery. This as I’m sure you can imagine has had a huge financial impact on the fishery at possibly the worst time in our fishing calendar.

Although we have been able to furlough some staff using the government scheme this is not possible for all staff. The lakes require considerable maintenance at this time of year to ensure they are fishable as soon as the government advice allows and the fish we have on site both in the lakes and on the fish farm must be cared for at all times.

We are currently putting plans together for when we are able to reopen and will have procedures in place to help maintain ‘social distancing’. This will be implemented by firstly restricting the number of anglers on each fishery by only allowing season rods and a limited number of day ticket anglers per day.

All orders must be placed online as no payment will be taken on the bank. There will only be 12 day rods and 5 evening rods available per day, on a first come, first served basis. These limited day memberships will be available via the website when we reopen.

Catch returns will be made by simply posting your fish tokens in the returns box rather than filling out the catch return form with a pen. The bailiff will still very briefly see you on the bank where he will ask your name and find your online payment and if you have ordered fish tokens they will be placed on the ground for you to collect. Please do not be offended if we are unable to chat as it is important we limit contact with each other. If you did want to chat with the bailiff it would be best to ring, the phone number is on your membership card.

Also, currently, all toilets will be closed on the fishery. We may need to implement more procedures depending on government and Angling Trust advice.

When we are finally able to reopen any unused pink 2019/20 tokens will be able to be used for the first week only to account for losing the last week of the season due to the Corona virus lockdown. 

Also please remember that Syon Park, as previously announced, will be season rod only until the end of September 2020. Syon day rods that have unused tokens will be able to use them on the Albury waters in the first week of opening as I have explained above.

Thank you so much your support at this time it is very much appreciated and we really hope it is not long before we see each other again on the bank.

As usual I would like to wish you all our best regards in these strange times. Stay safe.

Cameron Craigs