Biggest ever ‘Let’s Fish!’ campaign announced

Canal & River Trust and Angling Trust aim to get thousands fishing

8th April 2019
The Canal & River Trust and Angling Trust have announced the details of their Lets Fish! angling participation campaign for 2019 – with more events set to take place across the country than ever before.

The partnership will see over 200 free fishing taster sessions, as well as many skills development events for angling coaches, taking place across the country between April and the end of October.

The events will encourage people to get outdoors and experience the health and wellbeing benefits of fishing on their local waterways

Visitors to the events will be taught the basics of fishing by a professional licensed angling coach and get the opportunity to learn about the huge variety of fish that live in canals and rivers. All tackle and bait as well as a rod licence and fishing permit will be provided for free on the day meaning people can simply book in, turn up and have a go.

Funding for the sessions has come from the Canal & River Trust, players of the People’s Postcode Lottery and the Environment Agency, which uses money from fishing licence sales to provide more opportunities to go fishing as well as reinvesting in improving angling habitats and infrastructure.

In addition to the regular programme of events, the two organisations have also successfully bid to run a series of Let’s Fish! sessions in the Nene Valley as part of the wider National Lottery Heritage Fund sponsored Nenescape Landscape Partnership Scheme.

John Ellis, national fisheries & angling manager for the Canal & River Trust, said: “We’re thrilled to be working alongside the Angling Trust again on our programme of Let’s Fish! angling taster events.

“These events have proved incredibly popular with more than 4,000 people taking part since we first went into partnership with Angling Trust in the spring of 2018.

“You never forget catching your first fish and so these events have got a really important role to play in developing the next generation of anglers. Let’s Fish! provides the opportunity to discover the health and wellbeing benefits of fishing while enjoying some quality family time and having a go at something different. It’s a great way for people to discover the amazing waterways that are right on their doorstep and available for everybody to enjoy.”

Clive Copeland, Head of Participation at the Angling Trust added: “We are incredibly enthusiastic to have the opportunity to work with the Canal & River Trust again in 2019. We’re also very grateful for the continued support of the Environment Agency which recognises the importance of providing fun, safe and friendly events for beginner anglers.

“Let’s Fish! events are the perfect chance for the whole family to get outdoors and learn about the beautiful network of canals and rivers that are right on most people’s doorsteps. What’s more Let’s Fish! events are all free and that includes a day’s fishing licence and permit as well as tackle and bait. Brilliant for so many mums and dads looking for healthy kids activities on a budget!”

Our waterways are home to millions of fish including around 40 different species. The Canal & River Trust is the single owner of coarse fishing rights in England and Wales with over 2,000 miles of waterways and over 40 feeder reservoirs. It is estimated that it would cost £40 million to replace all the Trust’s fish stock!

To find a Let’s Fish! taster session near you go to www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/lets-fish