Pete Hersey’s potential new shore caught spotted ray record caught in January. Well done to Pete - lovely fish.
CFSA Current policy regarding the weighing of fish
Well, as expected, the advice has changed again this evening with an escalation in the emergency Covid-19 situation. In light of this, from tonight (23 March ), no fish recorded from this date sent in on returns from any CFSA club will be accepted for CFSA awards until the current restrictions are formally lifted - that is 3 weeks from tonight at the very least (14 th April). This makes it clear and fair for everyone fishing and recording into the CFSA.
Tonight’s advice makes it clear to everyone that we really do now have to restrict travel, stay at home with there being no excuse or reason to go fishing. Tackle and bait shops are now closed with immediate effect in any case. It is everyone’s responsibility to remain safe - Fishing is currently poor anyway so let’s hope this issue gets sorted for everyone’s benefit as soon as possible. Please also let me know ASAP if there is any problem with this position. Be assured, the awards and Championship will resume when this nightmare is behind us. Stay safe.
Well, as expected, the advice has changed again this evening with an escalation in the emergency Covid-19 situation. In light of this, from tonight (23 March ), no fish recorded from this date sent in on returns from any CFSA club will be accepted for CFSA awards until the current restrictions are formally lifted - that is 3 weeks from tonight at the very least (14 th April). This makes it clear and fair for everyone fishing and recording into the CFSA.
Tonight’s advice makes it clear to everyone that we really do now have to restrict travel, stay at home with there being no excuse or reason to go fishing. Tackle and bait shops are now closed with immediate effect in any case. It is everyone’s responsibility to remain safe - Fishing is currently poor anyway so let’s hope this issue gets sorted for everyone’s benefit as soon as possible. Please also let me know ASAP if there is any problem with this position. Be assured, the awards and Championship will resume when this nightmare is behind us. Stay safe.
Updated policy info 16th April 2020
It seems that we now have at least another 3 week lockdown period until the 7 th May. In discussion, with Jim, Ralph and other CFSA Committee members we have provisionally agreed to continue to suspend the weighing of fish for CFSA awards and records for the period of the formal Government lockdown period.
We believe that once the current measures are lifted, and we are all equally free to get out and about, there is still plenty of time left in the year to catch fish safely. For the last two years, most of the fish recorded in the Federation have been captured from the end of June/ early July. So, there is still plenty of time left to catch some good fish and enjoy some superb fishing.
If it helps at all, this time of year has generally not been that productive from either boat or shore in recent years (although the weather is not usually this good either!). Bottom line is you may not be missing out on that much - the spiders will be about in force very soon on the clean ground and they may clear off a bit earlier this year - you can but hope.
I have now summarised all of the CFSA club catch returns that I have received to the end of March. Whilst the number of 100% fish recorded has not been as high when compared to previous years (weather being the main problem) , it is great to see that the move back to a 50% qualifying weight for Senior club members has significantly increased angler participation and the recording of fish from member clubs. Participation is what we all want to encourage and there seems to be some keen anglers in several clubs which is really good to see.
We also now have a growing list of personal Members who can record fish with any CFSA club recorder. It would be good to see more of them weighing fish - there is a dedicated Personal Members trophy for best specimen If that helps - even if you still want to catch and release bass and some of the slow growing species.
Back to the fishing, It was good to see some of the best Cod fishing that we have experienced for many years back in February and March. In fact, it was some of the best cod fishing that I have ever seen in Cornwall in terms of numbers with fish turning up at numerous venues- nothing massive but a good average, with some better ones in amongst them. It was very encouraging to have some good fishing after what was otherwise a very poor winter. We did receive one particularly good specimen fish in the form of a new potential Spotted Ray record caught by Pete Hersey of ECC Ports SAC.
All of the latest results will be posted up in the next few days that will hopefully get you all thinking about the time when we get out fishing again.
In the meantime, I hope that you and your families are all well and keeping safe- particularly to protect our more vulnerable family members and the NHS.
It seems that we now have at least another 3 week lockdown period until the 7 th May. In discussion, with Jim, Ralph and other CFSA Committee members we have provisionally agreed to continue to suspend the weighing of fish for CFSA awards and records for the period of the formal Government lockdown period.
We believe that once the current measures are lifted, and we are all equally free to get out and about, there is still plenty of time left in the year to catch fish safely. For the last two years, most of the fish recorded in the Federation have been captured from the end of June/ early July. So, there is still plenty of time left to catch some good fish and enjoy some superb fishing.
If it helps at all, this time of year has generally not been that productive from either boat or shore in recent years (although the weather is not usually this good either!). Bottom line is you may not be missing out on that much - the spiders will be about in force very soon on the clean ground and they may clear off a bit earlier this year - you can but hope.
I have now summarised all of the CFSA club catch returns that I have received to the end of March. Whilst the number of 100% fish recorded has not been as high when compared to previous years (weather being the main problem) , it is great to see that the move back to a 50% qualifying weight for Senior club members has significantly increased angler participation and the recording of fish from member clubs. Participation is what we all want to encourage and there seems to be some keen anglers in several clubs which is really good to see.
We also now have a growing list of personal Members who can record fish with any CFSA club recorder. It would be good to see more of them weighing fish - there is a dedicated Personal Members trophy for best specimen If that helps - even if you still want to catch and release bass and some of the slow growing species.
Back to the fishing, It was good to see some of the best Cod fishing that we have experienced for many years back in February and March. In fact, it was some of the best cod fishing that I have ever seen in Cornwall in terms of numbers with fish turning up at numerous venues- nothing massive but a good average, with some better ones in amongst them. It was very encouraging to have some good fishing after what was otherwise a very poor winter. We did receive one particularly good specimen fish in the form of a new potential Spotted Ray record caught by Pete Hersey of ECC Ports SAC.
All of the latest results will be posted up in the next few days that will hopefully get you all thinking about the time when we get out fishing again.
In the meantime, I hope that you and your families are all well and keeping safe- particularly to protect our more vulnerable family members and the NHS.
Updated policy 11th May 2020
The Government have announced that there will be an easing of the current restrictions that will allow low risk outdoor activities to resume. This includes angling.
Having discussed with Jim Taylor, Ralph Elcox and Sean Johns, we have agreed to accept fish weighed / recorded by CFSA member clubs from Wednesday 13th May.
Clearly, it will be up to each member club to decide if they wish to resume the weighing of fish respecting the strict social distancing requirements. It would seem that this can be achieved safely if sensible social distancing precautions are taken - alternatively, there is also measure and release for some species or weigh, photograph and release if you have your own certified scales which means you don’t have to come into contact with anyone. Please also use common sense when fishing, don’t take risks or fish Marks if other anglers are fishing with no room to allow distancing.
This is clearly a first step in returning to some level of normality and is dependent upon any other advice the Government issues. It is simply a case of using common sense and trying to remain as safe as possible.
The Government have announced that there will be an easing of the current restrictions that will allow low risk outdoor activities to resume. This includes angling.
Having discussed with Jim Taylor, Ralph Elcox and Sean Johns, we have agreed to accept fish weighed / recorded by CFSA member clubs from Wednesday 13th May.
Clearly, it will be up to each member club to decide if they wish to resume the weighing of fish respecting the strict social distancing requirements. It would seem that this can be achieved safely if sensible social distancing precautions are taken - alternatively, there is also measure and release for some species or weigh, photograph and release if you have your own certified scales which means you don’t have to come into contact with anyone. Please also use common sense when fishing, don’t take risks or fish Marks if other anglers are fishing with no room to allow distancing.
This is clearly a first step in returning to some level of normality and is dependent upon any other advice the Government issues. It is simply a case of using common sense and trying to remain as safe as possible.
2020 CFSA Diary Dates
Jan/Feb/Mar - Recorders Trophy for Boat and Shore, best total returns over a three month period for both categories
1st January to 31st December - Skippers Trophy
20th March - General Meeting
4th April - Presentation Evening
10th/11th/12th April - Easter Shore Competition
26th April - K J Holman first leg
15th to 31st May - Easter Boat Competition
1st to 31st July - Closed Boat Competition
1st to 31st August - Junior Festival
1st to 31st August - Ladies Shield Competition
27th September - FOM Shore Final
1st to 30th September - FOM Boat Final
1st to 31st October - Cash back Boat Competition
3rd/4th October - K J Holman second leg
13th/13th December - Xmas Shore Competition
Jan/Feb/Mar - Recorders Trophy for Boat and Shore, best total returns over a three month period for both categories
1st January to 31st December - Skippers Trophy
20th March - General Meeting
4th April - Presentation Evening
10th/11th/12th April - Easter Shore Competition
26th April - K J Holman first leg
15th to 31st May - Easter Boat Competition
1st to 31st July - Closed Boat Competition
1st to 31st August - Junior Festival
1st to 31st August - Ladies Shield Competition
27th September - FOM Shore Final
1st to 30th September - FOM Boat Final
1st to 31st October - Cash back Boat Competition
3rd/4th October - K J Holman second leg
13th/13th December - Xmas Shore Competition
2020 CFSA Club Diary Dates
23rd/24th May - St. Columb Open - Currently postponed - Hopefully will be reshceduled for later in the year
6th/7th June - Camborne AA Open - Sorry this has been Cancelled
5th/6th September - Tintagel SAC Open
19th/20th September - St. Columb SAC Open Bass Competition - Sorry this has been Cancelled
17th/18th October - Tintagel Open Bass Competiton
23rd/24th May - St. Columb Open - Currently postponed - Hopefully will be reshceduled for later in the year
6th/7th June - Camborne AA Open - Sorry this has been Cancelled
5th/6th September - Tintagel SAC Open
19th/20th September - St. Columb SAC Open Bass Competition - Sorry this has been Cancelled
17th/18th October - Tintagel Open Bass Competiton