Match fishing gets the go-ahead and returns to Milton Keynes

NEIL Richardson's 25-pounder one of 31 Furzton fish in three trips

BINGO! Another step towards 'normal' as the government – far earlier than most expected – gave the official go-ahead to match fishing, effective now!

Announced via the Angling Trust on Tuesday, the 'green light' again puts the onus, pressures and responsibilities on clubs, operators and landowners to sort out all the 'fine print' of associated 'guidance' in no time flat.

And again there will be conflict between what appears reasonable attempts to comply, and what is stated as the ideal, in the Angling Trust's plan for a safe reintroduction of matches.

SAM Harrison-Weir's first-ever tench 8lb on the button!

One thing is for sure, there won't be an instant return to the drawbag – as the drawbag will likely disappear to be replaced by online and socially distanced remote arrangements.

Regular organisers have obviously thought ahead, but most have still been surprised by the speed of events which, some cynics suspect is part of government moves to distract attention from other matters...

On the practical front, Alder's boss Trevor Price said: "We have measures in place but we're not quite ready yet, and we won't restart matches until we're sure all our safety precautions are in place."

MKAA's Kevin Osborne is also among those who has been working on the nuts and bolts of meeting AT's code of practice. He said: "Whatever we do has to be done properly and safely."

MICHAEL Buchwalder's double-figure bream: caught for the camera

Newport's Ade Watson said that club's first matches are scheduled for the river, post June 16, but added that current parking restrictions could cause problems.

MANY carp have been spawning in local waters, but others have been feeding – and in his first three Furzton visits, roving with surface gear, Go-Fishing's Neil Richardson landed no less than 31 carp to 25lb!

Over the road on Mount Farm 'Sam' had a 30-4 common plus two 20s while Mike Boyle had a 20, and on Newport's Big Pit Mike Hearn landed a 21-12.

For whatever reason big bream have been well on feed in various local waters.

Willen saw Mike Buchwalder and Pete Patton trying to catch a double-figure bream to order for a Sonubaits video. They shared 26 slabs averaging better than 9lb – and Michael did top the 10lb target. Mark Mulryan had five to 12lb while carping.

ON Bradwell Sam Harrison-Weir had his first-ever tench...a beaut taking the scales to the 8lb mark. And his young daughter netted a 7-6 bream. Magic catches.