Theale Sportfish Game Fishing Centre reopens for fishing

Sportfish Game Fishing Centre has restocked Haywards Farm Lake with their typical large, hard-fighting trout, and has been open for fly fishing on a trial basis since Wednesday, May 13.

All their usual fly-fishing rules and regulations remain in place and, in addition, strict new booking and fishing restrictions are in place to ensure the safety of their colleagues and fishing guests.

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It is imperative that the strict social distancing measures continue to be adhered to and that guidance to participate alone, or with members of your own household, is followed.

On Sunday, May 10, Boris Johnson announced tweaks to the COVID–19 rules.

The social distancing message remains crucial, everywhere, but recreational fishing is now permitted in England.

Various rules are in place for those wanting to fish at Haywards Farm Lake.

These include a maximum of 10 fishers per day, payments to be made by card over the phone and social distancing at least 15m while you fish and not engaging with other fishers or bailiffs.

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Sportfish team member, Jonathan Tomlinson has been unlocking the fishery gates every morning, locking them every evening and engaging with the anglers at Haywards Farm Lake – while observing strict social distancing guidelines.

He said: “Everyone is delighted to be back out in the open air and with a rod in their hands again and all the fishers are pleased to at least have some semblance of normality back in their lives if only a small glimpse of the previous norm!

“Everyone has taken our new, stricter regulations and guidelines on board and are sticking to them, only too aware that stretching the envelope puts the whole freedom to fish back into jeopardy.

“Rods have been bent regularly and anglers look genuinely happy to be outside again.”