Angling Trust and Canal & River Trust unveil plan to get more people fishing

The Angling Trust and Canal & River Trust have joined forces to increase the number of people fishing. At the annual Angling Coaching Continued Professional Development Day on Saturday 12^th May in Warwick, John Ellis – National Fisheries and Angling Manager for the Canal & River Trust, addressed over 40 delegates representing clubs and fisheries. John said “Through our partnership with the Angling Trust we have a target to get 4,000 people introduced to angling for the first time this year. Our nationwide ‘Let’s Fish!’ programme will also give away 1,000 starter fishing kits to reward new anglers who have caught the angling bug.”

Canal & River Trust Chief Executive Officer Richard Parry pledged his support for the ‘Let’s Fish!’ programme and added “Angling can so often make the first connection with difficult to reach communities. It gives youngsters an outdoor activity that they can immerse themselves in, learn some new skills and to appreciate the environment. We want to continue to promote angling to help us connect with the public, and to improve the wellbeing of communities around our waterways.”

The day was also attended by Dean Asplin, Partnership Development Manager for the Angling Trust, angling’s national representative and governing body, which is part-funding the ‘Let’s Fish!’ events. These fishing sessions allow complete beginners to come and discover the wonders of angling. Dean commented: “Our work with the Canal & River Trust is incredibly exciting as it means that we can combine our efforts to promote angling as a healthy, active pastime which has huge benefits to physical and mental wellbeing and gets tens of thousands of people each year outdoors and reconnected with nature. The ‘Get Fishing’ campaign from the Angling Trust and Canal & River Trust’s ‘Let’s Fish!’ programme provide events which are safe, fun and friendly. They are the perfect place for anyone who isn’t sure what angling is about to give fishing a go for the first time.”

Find free ‘Get Fishing’ events here. The ‘Let’s Fish!’ campaign is at www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/fishing/lets-fish

ENDS

Notes to editors:

The Get Fishing campaign is run by the Angling Trust and funded by the Environment Agency from fishing licence income, to increase the number of people being introduced to angling across the country. Anyone interested in going fishing can find angling events at Get Fishing. The events listed are for all participants regardless of gender, age, fitness or previous angling experience.
Contact: Will Smith, Angling Promotion Manager, Angling Trust on [email protected]

The Canal & River Trust cares for and brings to life 2,000 miles of canals and rivers across England & Wales.  We believe waterways have the power to make a real difference to people’s lives and that spending time by water can make us all healthier and happier. By bringing communities together to transform their local waterway, we are creating places and spaces that can be used and enjoyed by everyone, every day.
www.canalrivertrust.org.uk @CanalRiverTrust @crtcomms