The days leading up to this event were full of warnings about the Coronavirus pandemic but the full government restrictions were yet to come into force and so it was that seven members and guests made their way to Frensham Lakes on a pleasant morning with sunshine and a gentle breeze.
The greetings were rather more subdued than usual, no handshakes and keeping our distance, but a fishing lake usually has plenty of space, is out in the fresh air and seemed the ideal place to avoid coming into contact with the dreaded virus. Frensham has always been a self-service fishery with envelopes to post through a letterbox with payment for the day’s fishing, so no human contact necessary here either.
There are 6 lakes in total so we spread out to find our chosen spots, well away from human contact but able to chat at a distance. The first couple of hours were very hard going with only one fish being caught by regular guest Granville Ainsly, who always seems to conjure something up when no-one else is catching.
However, mid-morning a van pulled up with a tank of fresh trout that were offloaded into the various lakes. Newly stocked fish are known to sulk after their journey and do not usually feed but on this occasion they seemed very lively and were soon spread out round the lakes. One never knows if it is the new fish or whether they have stirred up the existing stock, but rods soon started to bend and fish were being landed or returned, depending on the ticket purchased.
Lunch was far from the normal bonhomie that is enjoyed at PICT meetings, on this occasion everyone eating their sandwiches in well-spaced micro groups. Alan Badcock presented the Monk Trophy to me at arm’s length, no handshakes and the trophy held in the green baize that always wraps it, with only Robert Taylor present to photograph the event.
Most people had chosen to have a morning ticket, fishing from 8.00 to 2.00pm so after the quick break we had another hour or so during which more fish were caught.
The traffic on the M25 was busy but it seemed everyone was behaving sensibly, so no hold-ups which should be a lesson to us all. I found the atmosphere almost subdued, no doubt minds focused on what may lie ahead for the country and the world.
Sadly it is difficult to say when the next event will take place as many of the fisheries have closed under government guidance. As soon as the situation eases I will send emails to participants and it will be posted on the website.
Finally I would just like to wish good health to every member of PICT, their families, friends and guests - look after yourselves.