Anglers urged not to seek exemptions during coronavirus pandemic

If you were hoping someone could negotiate some kind of quick-fix to get anglers back on the banks soonest... forget it.

The sport's national body – the Angling Trust – has tried, and the answer from government is a polite: "Now is not the time to be seeking exemptions."

And it will stay that way at least until the first 'three-week review' at Easter.

Social media is alive with those trying to beat 'stay-off-the-banks-blues' and anglers exhorting one another to share pictures of their favourite catches, waters, anecdotes and ideas as to where we go from here 'when this is all over'.

Club, fishery and individuals' pages feature everything from links to various angling vids – including the classic 'A passion for Angling' and the more recent Whitehouse and Mortimer – to tackle promos and guys sitting in sheds cleaning their gear... Tommy Pickering's has had thousands of views.

Among pictures posted of 'last minute' captures was Jamie Boomer's Caldecotte pike catch and Beacon's Lawrence Starkey with an 18-8 Mount Farm common.

Local ace Michael Buchwalder is on one explaining an idea, gaining a big following, for a post-emergency mega match 'thank you' fund-raiser for NHS staff.

Still evolving, it could centre on a country-wide string of matches with local venue results somehow categorised to produce a national winner.

Facebook had already lit-up with ideas for local NHS matches such as the one floated by Paul Andrews on the MKAA page.

Locally, as across the land, clubs are angsting over 'the future'. Some already have next season's books on sale (in shops currently shut by order). Others have put printing on hold. Many commercials will be worried, too.

Huge question marks hang over how long the stoppage will last, whether if worst comes to worst landlords will temporarily reduce or hold future rent bills, and just how badly next season's ticket sales will be hit.