There's been a rumour going round that Thames Water has banned Booby fishing at Farmoor.

Tosh. Nothing of the sort. What has been placed in the rules is this:

24. Static line fishing with fly fishing tackle is strictly forbidden on all of the Company’s reservoir trout fishing facilities including the use of fixed rod rest applications. Hand held fishing techniques are to be used at all times in traditional ‘cast and draw’ method. Fast stripping is permitted. Clarification of the rule dictates that when a line is in the water the rod must be held by the angler at all times with no acceptions [I think they meant 'exceptions' ...].

Some will see this as the end of the world as we know it. Others, certainly the locals who fish Farmoor, will not.

I say to 'hallelujah' for the brave step, one that many would deem overdue. The sight of a trout reservoir bristling with rods clamped in holders rather similarly to Herne Bay pier dab and dogfish fishers using Lug and rag, was a little unedifying. We almost expected the bells or bite alarms to sing out across the Oxfordshire countryside.

Banning anything is always going to court controversy. On Farmoor where fishing the Booby is almost as ingrained in the angling psyche as the concrete around the perimeter, it is a strike to the heart of many season ticket and veterans' tactics. But let’s be clear, Boobies have not been banned – the static and clamped styles of rods being strapped to various devices and left to fish unaided and unmoved, has. It seems sensible to me.

Boobies are allowed, just as long as they are fished in a conventional way and in motion. Like … wait a minute…fly fishing! What is so outrageous about that?

I wanted to know the reasons behind such a neo-controversial move on the part of Thames Water and the management of the fishery. One of the head bailifs went through the rules with me, commenting that only a handful of hardcore veterans had railed against the decision to stop fixed-rod/rod-rest angling. He was amused to report that some of the anglers had been getting “creative,” but with improved policing and a new ticketing regime that is offering a far better catch return procedure than in the past, things are looking very good at this exceptional fishery.Further, he remarked that the improved water height and weather had rejuvenated the midge hatches and all was looking exceptionally good for a fine season ahead.

Incidentally, the sight (pun hideously meant!) of indicators the same approximate dimensions of pike bungs, will not be seen either; indicators are now restricted to 20mm. Perfectly reasonable, perfectly sensible.

Interestingly, I asked some of the England Youth fly fishers who have a fund-raising competition on the reservoir at the beginning of May (the first, I think) what they thought of it all. Every one of them applauded the move.

Let’s here it for common sense and resurgence of fly fishing – in a truer form.