Anglers awaiting the all-clear to return to night fishing

NIGHT fishing is coming back across MKAA waters from July 4 – PROVIDING measures outlined by the PM in Parliament on Tuesday become reality.

Currently the only foreseeable things likely to spanner the works are a last minute change of political will – or a major second Covid 19 'spike' in the area.

So for the next 10 days it is wait...and hope.

Nightfishing has stayed banned throughout lockdown on all Parks Trust waters under a government edict that camping was banned and that, other than for specific purposes such as work, people couldn't stay away from home overnight.

Other landowners, backed by the Angling Trust, relied on a different part of government policy relating to 'activities' (confusing contradictory statements have been common) to allow night fishers back on the banks three weeks back.

ANGLING being one of the first sports out of lockdown has provided local tackle shops and many clubs with a real bonanza!

Even with social distancing causing queue in the streets outside, large numbers of people new to the sport, and long-lapsed 'returners', have flocked to the shops with sales of maggot and worm triple – or more – those of this time last year.

SUNSHINE, blue waters and carp almost as good as southern France for Bradley Cooper on Furzton

One proprietor said 'Trade has gone mental. We haven't sold like this for 15 or 20 years.' Some club cards have been selling like there's no tomorrow, too.

ON the banks Mark Fisher had a great father's day when his daughter asked to watch him fish the Ouzel where he had chub to 5-8.

ADE Watson had his second Newport Ouse barbel in 20 years, on maggot. It might only have gone a pound 'but it was worth the wait', he said.

AT Olney Andy Garner and Ian Barnes both had chub to 5-8. Jamie Knight had a 5-2 Ouse tench.

ON Furzton Frazer Dunford had a superb 18-2 koi: on the Big Pit Graham Duncan had a 23-4 carp and Ben Dunkley a 21. Jonny Taylor went after his first Lodge carp and had a 10 pounder after just 40 minutes.

CALVERT, Tear Drops: John Robison 18lb (bream), Barry Witteridge 10-9, Mark Penwell 6-14.

MK Vets, Tear Drops: Bob Gale 17-2, Steve Dzialak 16-6, Bruce Harvey 14-13.

OLNEY Ouse, evening sweep: Paul Caton 16-4, Pete Laughton 10-12, Dave Tebbutt 10-8.

NEWPORT open Sherington Bridge Ouse: Myles Philips 11-4, Dave Tebbutt 10-11, James Lewis 10-4.