I trust everyone is as well and that your friends and families are seeing the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel.

I wanted to reinforce that your committee are working well behind the scenes and there are plans to continue with digital sales of Dreghorn Angling Club memberships for season 2021. Also some riverbank improvements are in hand to enhance our club waters. (more later).

Meantime I wanted to put on record the contents of the link from Marine Scotland which has been also been noted on our Facebook page. Of course, we are in close season at present, but this shows how the government is thinking currently and bodes well for angling in general :-

Marine Scotland Guidance for anglers during Coronavirus – Marine Scotland (blogs.gov.scot)

Following the announcement the Scottish Government introduced, from midnight on 5 January, and for the duration of January, a legal requirement to stay at home except for essential purposes. This is similar to the lockdown of March 2020.

The First Minister acknowledged that it is important for physical and mental well-being that we can get outdoors for fresh air and exercise as much as possible.  Given this, local outdoor recreation, sport or exercise is to be considered an appropriate reason for leaving home.  Unlike the lockdown last year, the frequency of outdoor exercise is not being limited.

Outdoor non-contact activities such as walking, cycling and golf are permitted for all age groups.

Angling is also permissible provided this is within a single household group, or the group contains no more than 2 people from 2 different households.  Children under the age of 12 from these households do not count towards this number.

You can travel for local outdoor sport or exercise such as angling but must stay within the more general requirements with regard to travel and ensure that you abide by the rules on meeting other households.  In general, stay as close to home as possible – within your local authority, or no more than 5 miles from the boundary – and stay away from crowded places.

With best regards – Stay safe.

Bill Giddings

President of Dreghorn Angling Club