Angler fined for fishing on Furzton lake

However hard they are finding it, anglers across Milton Keynes are almost universally complying with 'no fishing' Coronavirus regulations.

'Almost' – because on Saturday two mounted police found a Bletchley man tucked away, with enough gear for a long stay, on Furzton's D section.

They marched him off with a well-deserved flea in his ear and a £60 on-the-spot fine.

He wasn't an MKAA member... but may find it hard getting daytickets if he returns post ban!

Elsewhere seems much the same with angling getting few adverse reports against its name. That said, there was a London group ticketed and turned back while driving to the West Country to fish...

When exactly returning to the banks will be allowed is anyone's guess – but it seems unlikely before some time next month.

Exactly how the return will be achieved also poses questions. Will it be all at once, areas at a time, with or without travelling limits, or a longer lasting ban on matchfishing or – as some commentators are suggesting – phased by age groups, youngsters first?

The latter could be well problematic in angling: "Rod licence, club card, birth certificate, young man? Oh, and your wife's just arrived with the great-grandchildren."

Some will be glad to see us back! Jill emailed MKAA saying: "I'm upset fishermen are no longer around Furzton when I go for my walk. I really miss them early morning when it is still dark. They make me feel safe. Hope to see them again soon."

Varied are the ways anglers are coping with the break: from posting pictures of themselves 'bivvied up' in their front rooms to watching endless fishing videos – try the Angling Trust's fishingbuzz.co.uk for a huge selection including some 'classics'.