Birmingham Anglers Association

Re: Breaking lock down rules ?

Everyone last time all had documentation for the "crap barbel study" - including the bods from the two universities. So good luck with that one.

Somewhat surprised that you have mates though, 'BarbelGod'.

Re: Breaking lock down rules ?

For the record I knew nothing about these surveys until about 15 minutes ago, what a great initiative in exploring Barbel numbers. It also by default uncovered the true nature of some fellow members on here.

Re: Breaking lock down rules ?

Johnny , Neil you can say what ever you like about me . ''Water of a ducks back'' as far as I am concerned .

The truth of the matter is Johnny and for what ever the reason. You wont either accept or claim responsibility and you are in complete denial for your actions that you broke lock down rules and broke the law .

You your self wrote that you had to drive 40 minutes to the Lower Severn . I never wrote that you did
So call me all the names under the sun it don't bother me
Be a man and for once accept you were wrong . Lets not kid our selves here Johnny when you got in your car and drove for 40 minutes . You knew what you were doing and you knew what the rules were and yet you chose to ignore them for your own self gratification .

I think Johnny if this was a court of law You would be found guilty as charged . I rest my case Lol

Re: Breaking lock down rules ?

Yeah you shouldn't have gone johnny.But I bet you weren't the only one who decided to make that decision.We don't need a witch hunt,I would have liked to go out myself before the season ends.But that's not going to happen now,just have to wait to the summer for the rivers.

Re: Breaking lock down rules ?

Johnny , Neil you can say what ever you like about me . ''Water of a ducks back'' as far as I am concerned .

The truth of the matter is Johnny and for what ever the reason. You wont either accept or claim responsibility and you are in complete denial for your actions that you broke lock down rules and broke the law .

You your self wrote that you had to drive 40 minutes to the Lower Severn . I never wrote that you did
So call me all the names under the sun it don't bother me
Be a man and for once accept you were wrong . Lets not kid our selves here Johnny when you got in your car and drove for 40 minutes . You knew what you were doing and you knew what the rules were and yet you chose to ignore them for your own self gratification .

I think Johnny if this was a court of law You would be found guilty as charged . I rest my case Lol

Re: Breaking lock down rules ?

Forgot johnny congrats on your pb.The long hours chasing them barbel have payed of.

Re: Breaking lock down rules ?

Thank you Branchie. A passion of mine.

Re: Breaking lock down rules ?

I could be wrong rivernovice, but I think John's desperate for a DM on bfw.......could lead to romance....

Re: Breaking lock down rules ?

For the avoidance of doubt, there is nothing in UK legislation which limits distance of travel during a lockdown. Acts which are against the law are

1. Leaving home without a valid reason. Fishing is a valid reason, as is exercise, shopping for groceries etc. Feeding the ducks, holidays are not.
2. Not adhering to social distancing laws. I.e., staying 2m away from others.
3. Meeting with people outside of your household or bubble.

Therefore, if JC went fishing on his own, he has not committed an offence. Regardless of distance travelled. (Unless he went to Wales or Scotland)

Recently some fishermen were fined. This was because 4 of them from different households were in the same car. NOT because they went too far.
You cannot be fined for travelling to fish. If you travel past other fisheries available to you, this would probably be deemed unnecessary. If your closest available fishery (i.e. one you're a member of) is 40 miles away, then there is no problem.

I'll admit I'm not a 'covid law' specialist, but I am an employment law specialist. I'm confident that makes me better informed on the subject than anyone else who has posted on this thread so far.

Re: Breaking lock down rules ?

No mention of distance here it clearly states what you can be fined for, and distance travelled is not included.

Re: Breaking lock down rules ?

Many thanks Fishychris, I do fish alone whilst fishing for barbel.

Makes a nonsense of drivel like this:-

I think Johnny if this was a court of law You would be found guilty as charged . I rest my case Lol

Re: Breaking lock down rules ?

Here is a quote from the Angling trust website

''You should be able to show that your travel to go fishing is in accordance with the government’s instruction to stay local and you are following the Angling Trust’s travel guidelines ''

Its there in black and white on the Angling Trust website . Go to the Angling Trust website and read for your self ? Perhaps some body can explain that making a 40 minute drive to go fishing can be classed as staying local ? Those rules were agreed by the Angling trust with the government ? and it clearly states that you have to stay local . No if's No buts you have to stay local.?

Here is another from the BAA home page

GOVERNMENT HAS ANNOUNCED THAT FOR ENGLAND, INDIVIDUAL FISHING MAY CONTINUE DURING THE CURRENT LOCKDOWN. (NOT WALES, NO CONTESTS)

QUOTE: “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”

Once again it clearly states adhere to staying local . Even the BAA are saying you must stay local ?

Re: Breaking lock down rules ?

Jeff - what is local?

Not defined, is it? As fishychris mentions, distance isn't mentioned.

By the way, any news on my question if we've met before, and why you dislike me so much?

Keen to know.

Re: Breaking lock down rules ?

You have not posted anything which proves travelling is breaking a law.

A 'government instruction' is not a law. Working from home where possible is a 'government instruction'.

The angling trust do not set any rules or laws. They are in no way an authority. They lobby for our sport. It is sensible to follow their lead, so we don't endanger our privilege of being able to fish, whilst most other sports/hobbies are inaccessible. This doesn't make it a legal requirement. It's a moral judgement. Moral judgement is an opinion. Everyone is entitled to theirs.

The BAA are free to set club rules. If the BAA wish to take action against a club rule, the rule should be unambiguous. 'Local' is entirely vague. As per JCs comment, they would need to define local, and more importantly stipulate exactly what would constitute breaking the rule. The same is the case for the law. You cannot break a law which has not been defined. That's like saying its against the law to be a knob.

Justification for 40 miles being local...

I work for a multinational firm, headquartered in sapin. Many people in my company can travel to 4 countries in a week for work. They will literally 'pop over to Spain' for a meeting. I cover the entire UK. I do 50,000 miles a year minimum. 40 miles to me is nothing.
Someone from bridgnorth would probably not consider themselves local in Shrewsbury. Until someone from Glasgow asks, then they probably are. When someone over from Australia asks, the scot is probably considered local. I have a mate who runs a farm in the Highlands. His nearest supermarket is 20 miles away. It's entirely subjective.

If you want to prove that travelling 40 miles is illegal, the only way to do it is to find the actual legislation online and post the link. You can't, because it doesn't exist.

With respect, the law is my job. I can do this all day. I'm not going to, I've got better things to do. But if you're going to make comments in a manner where you claim to know it all and belittle others, make sure you do know it all, and most of all bring some proper evidence to justify your claims. The way you've attacked JC here is frankly out of order, especially for someone who doesn't actually know a fat lot. You're simply claiming your (mis)interpretation of the law to be ultimate.

If you want to go fishing safely (in respect of your health and the law) do it on your own, don't drive past multiple fisheries to get to your 'favourite' and don't take any undue risks, I.e. driving into a sodden agricultural field which may require your rescue.

Re: Breaking lock down rules ?

Its was agreed by the Angling Trust and the government that the rule was that if you went fishing , You had to stay local.OK I will agree that is not the law . It still don't alter the fact its a rule Stay local . We all know what local means don't we ? Local pub ,Local news agent, Local supermarket,Local shop. Local friends and family etc etc

In society we all have rules and they are there for a reason.We may not like them .The BAA has a rule of no night fishing with out a night fishing permit . Join any fishing club and they all have rules.
Join a golf club,Gym etc etc and they all have rules . In society we all have rules that we have to adhere to . They are there for a reason OK they may not be the law . But they are still the rules and they are there for what ever the reason . So in theory break those rules and you suffer the consequences.

So I will stick by what I have said earlier that driving out of you local area to go fishing is breaking the rules agreed by the Angling Trust and the government

Re: Breaking lock down rules ?

So, have we met or not Jeff?
I asked yesterday.

I'm a curious individual.

Re: Breaking lock down rules ?

Well done Fishychris , interesting reading, thanks
Do you work weekends??.... as I want you in my corner when they come for me!!

Re: Breaking lock down rules ?

Haha thanks HOT.

Weekend hourly rate is standard hourly rate, plus a pint of tribute. Payable of course when the pubs open.

On a side note, one thing to be aware of which the police can do, is to instruct you to return home if they feel you have travelled an unreasonable distance. This, again, is entirely subjective, however if you have travelled past other venues en route, you would have a hard time explaining why you couldn't have just fished one of those. If your closest available water is 30 mins away, then that is deemed to be your local one. If its 200 yards away then that is local. But anyone planning to go fishing, just be aware that you may be asked to pack up. This doesn't mean you've committed an offence, but failure to comply with such a request is an offence, I believe.

Realistically though, the old bill aren't interested in a lone angler on a quiet stretch of the Avon or teme. And covid wise its about the safest place to be. So regardless of how far it is, its a safer form of exercise than the farm opposite my house which is now overrun with dogwalkers to an extent I've not previously seen. I now often take a short drive to a quieter spot to walk mine. 'Sticklers' often lack logic in my opinion. Hence why they're so obsessed with rules- they're not able to think for themselves. Or just want to start a fight!

Re: Breaking lock down rules ?

Rather partial to an IPA myself Chris. Proper Job from the St Austell brewery, but lots to choose from. Citra is nice also. It's as refreshing as this conversation is now civilised.

JC

Re: Breaking lock down rules ?

I do like the cornish brewers. Not so fussed by Sharps Doombar though, despite it being the most popular ale in the UK for some time. Pale and fruity in the summer, darker and oakier in the winter for me.