MESSAGE FROM ANGLIAN WATER

We are delighted to be welcoming both bank and boat anglers back to Rutland, Grafham, Pitsford and Ravensthorpe on Tuesday 2nd June 2020.

To ensure we comply with social distancing and government guidelines, our fisheries will be observing new operating procedures. These guidelines are in this week’s Fishery News which is attached. We ask that you respect these guidelines and follow them to ensure all our staff and visitors remain safe.

In order to maintain social distancing and cut down on the amount of traffic in the lodges, all boats booked need to be paid for at the point of booking. We will still be accepting ‘walk-ins’ for boat fishing but strongly suggest you book in advance to avoid disappointment. Our fisheries team is available 8am to 3pm, 7 days a week, to take bookings for the coming months (inevitably our phones will be very busy in the next few days – please bear with us).

Please stagger your arrival time to reduce waiting time at the pontoon (maintaining social distance at all times); plus remember to wear eye protection, sunscreen and hats whilst out on the water.

• AW Big Four re-opened Tuesday 2 June

• We are looking forward to welcoming our anglers back

• Detailed guidelines to keep you safe and help you get the most out of your day

www.anglianwaterparks.co.uk

Rutland Water 01780 686441; Grafham Water 01480 810531;
Pitsford, Ravensthorpe & Hollowell 01604 781350,
Taverham Mills Fishery 01603 861014; Alton Water 01473 589105
Recreation Dept Anglian Water 01572 653021

Fishing at Rutland, Grafham, Pitsford and Ravensthorpe
We are delighted to be re-opening to anglers on Tuesday 2nd June 2020. Our fisheries team is available 8am to 3pm, 7 days a week, to take bookings for the coming months. In order to maintain social distancing and cut down on the amount of traffic in the lodges, all boats booked need to be paid for at the point of booking. We will still be accepting ‘walk-ins’ for boat fishing but strongly suggest you book in advance to avoid disappointment.

Pro rata season tickets also available – please ask at the fishing lodges.

To reduce waiting time at the pontoon please stagger your arrival time.

To ensure we comply with social distancing and government guidelines, the fisheries will be observing new operating procedures. We ask that you respect these guidelines and follow them to ensure all our staff and visitors remain safe.

Lodges

• All lodges will open at 8am to 3pm 7 days a week for boat and permit sales. Please only attempt to enter a lodge for these purposes. We kindly ask that anglers do not visit to chat or say ‘hello’ to the staff – no matter how much you have missed us!
• We are limiting the number of people in the lodge at the same time. Please be patient if you are asked to wait.
• We ask you keep your time in the lodge as brief as possible and be mindful and courteous of other customers waiting to enter. Strictly no ‘browsing’ whilst there is a queue to enter the lodge.
• Please adhere to all signage in regard to queuing and social distancing maintaining 2 metres apart.
• If you are boat fishing with a member of the same household, only one of you should enter the lodge and pay for the boat in full. At this time, we will not split payments for boats.
• We request the use of contactless/card payments where possible. The limit for contactless card transactions has been increased to £45.
• Please note Rutland cafe remains closed and Grafham cafes are offering a limited takeaway service only.
• Toilet facilities will be available at all our lodges. Please observe social distancing maintaining 2 metres apart.

Parking & site arrangements

• Please be mindful of others on arrival to the car park. Please leave a parking space between each other to allow time to unload. Where this is not possible, please find a space next to a vacant vehicle.
• Please note at Grafham no cars will be allowed to park or drop off in the area by the boats. At Rutland there will be no parking by the lodge, but as before you can drop off your kit here. This is to allow more room for social distancing. However Blue badge holders can continue to park here.
Bank Angling

• Anglers must maintain 2 metres apart when fishing.
• For pre-paid permits following payment, you will be emailed a permit, which should be carried with you whilst fishing. A biosecurity agreement and fishery rules will also be emailed to you.
• On arrival you may commence fishing at your leisure. You are required to text/call in and out to the ranger mobile:
o Rutland: 07885 484113
o Grafham: 07801 674683
o Pitsford: 07885 135453
o Ravensthorpe: 01604 770875
• Once your fishing session is complete and you have washed down following our biosecurity measures, we ask you to promptly leave site.
• Where you need to gut/clean fish please adhere to social distancing measures at Grafham & Pitsford. Please note that there is no gutting room at Ravensthorpe and due to concerns with social distancing we will not be opening the Rutland gutting room at this time.
• Please place catch returns in the usual catch return boxes or alternatively email them to fishing@anglianwater.co.uk
• During your visit you may need to touch gates and padlocks, it is angler’s responsibility to make sure they have taken adequate measure to maintain hygiene, i.e. have their own hand gels and sanitizers etc.

Boat fishing

• We are operating a reduced boat fleet to allow us to clean and sanitise the boats and equipment ready for the next fisherman.
• Single man boats only permitted at this time, unless you are fishing with 1 other member of your household.
• We recommend pre-booking to avoid disappointment.
• Payment needs to be made over the telephone when pre-booking. Pre-payment will enable you to make your way straight to the pontoon on arrival and avoid any unnecessary queuing at the lodge.
• The rangers will issue you a boat on your arrival at the pontoon.
• No requests for specific boats can be made at this time.
• Where you need to gut/clean fish please adhere to social distancing measures at Grafham & Pitsford. Please note that there are no gutting rooms available at Rutland and Ravensthorpe currently.

Arriving and departing from the pontoon

• Pre-paid boat customers do not need to enter the shop, boat numbers will be issued by the rangers on the pontoon.
• Where possible pre-booked customers should try to arrive before 10am.
• On arrival at the pontoon we ask you to wait at the signposted area and queue maintaining a 2 metre distance at all times.
• Once fishing is completed, when you arrive back to the pontoon we ask that the boat is docked the same side you departed from. Please continue to adhere to social distancing measures when disembarking from your boat.
• Please place catch returns in the usual catch return boxes or alternatively email them to fishing@anglianwater.co.uk
• Where you need to gut/clean fish please adhere to social distancing measures at Grafham & Pitsford. Please note that there are no gutting rooms available at Rutland and Ravensthorpe currently.
• For your safety, all boats, equipment and lifejackets are disinfected after every use. Boats are given 36 hours between occupants. If you wish, please feel free to bring protective gloves and/or a face covering as well as hand sanitiser.
• Once in your boat please motor out of the harbour immediately. Anglers wanting to ‘tackle up’ should do this out in ‘open water’.

We look forward to welcoming you back.