Take a Friend Fishing runs from 14th August to 4th October 2020 – that means that during the extended period there are eight weekends that fishing licence holding anglers can encourage a mate to come fishing…

If you’re a fishing licence holding angler you can register for a free one-day Environment Agency fishing licence worth £6 to take someone you know fishing. To take advantage of this offer, all you need to do is to visit www.takeafriendfishing.co.uk.  Here are some simple tips to help get your friend fishing:

1. Keep things simple! You don’t want to spend hours of your trip tying up complicated rigs whilst your friend sits there waiting to have a go. Short poles/whips or a float flicked into the margins is a great way to start. Less time setting up = more time fishing.
2. Make sure you have a couple of spare disgorgers and forceps. There’s nothing worse than struggling with a difficultly hooked fish with someone who is new to fishing.
3. Think about where you’re fishing. Tree lined margins may look really fishy but can make it challenging for a new angler to learn how to cast. A bit of open space will mean you’ll spend much less time casting into trees!
4. Remember you’re there to give your friend the opportunity to go fishing, not to watch you fish! Let them take control and learn by doing it themselves.
5. Barbless Hooks make life a lot easier. If the fishery allows, barbless hooks are strongly recommended. Not only will it be easier for the new angler to learn how to unhook fish but it’s much easier to take a barbless hook out of a jumper!
6. Remember to maintain social distancing. Although you’ll be outside, it’s important to maintain social distancing if you are fishing with someone outside your household or ‘social bubble’. Helping a new angler to fish for the first time can still be easily done whilst socially distant, just remember not to rush in too quickly with the landing net when they hook that monster!
7. Visit www.getfishing.org.uk/location for Get Fishing campaign’s “Beginner Friendly Fisheries” – they are the perfect place to take someone new to fishing.

Going fishing is a wonderful way to spend quality time with family and friends – it has proven mental health and wellbeing benefits too – come on – Take a Friend Fishing this summer!

More info? Simply contact Angling Trust Partnership Development Manager James Roche – [email protected] on 07791 786 251

Take a Friend Fishing is on social media…

Hashtags: #takeafriendfishing #getfishing
Facebook: www.facebook.com/anglingtrust
Twitter: @AnglingTrust
Instagram: @getintofishing

About Take a Friend Fishing:
Take a Friend Fishing is a partnership between the Angling Trust, Environment Agency and Angling Trades Association. The campaign focuses on making it as easy as possible for an existing angler to take someone they know fishing. It is part of the Get Fishing campaign run by the Angling Trust the national representative and governing body for angling in England. This work is supported by Environment Agency fishing licence income and helps to introduce thousands of people to fishing each year. www.anglingtrust.net

Under the current government guidelines, you can go fishing but only alone, with members of your household, or with up to, but no more than 5 other people. From 4 July, two households can also meet, provided members of different households can follow social distancing guidelines. You should always follow social distancing guidelines when encountering others. The most up-to-date information on these restrictions can be found at www.gov.uk/coronavirus.

The Environment Agency funds the Angling Trust to provide more opportunities for people to go fishing and encourage sales of fishing rod licences. Money from fishing licence sales is spent on improving fisheries habitat and angling infrastructure through projects like the Angling Improvement Fund.

You normally need a valid Environment Agency Rod Licence if you are aged 13 or over and fish for salmon, trout, freshwater fish, smelt or eel in England (except the River Tweed), Wales, and the Border Esk and its tributaries in Scotland.  An annual licence only costs £30 for up to 2 rods to fish for coarse fish & trout. Concessionary, short term and three rod coarse licences are also available. Visit www.gov.uk/fishing-licences/buy-a-fishing-licence to buy one online. www.gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency

The Angling Trades Association (ATA) is the voice of the British Angling industry, aiming to unite the industry, promote and protect our loved sport. The ATA represents angling manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, fisheries, publishers, and distributors. www.anglingtradesassociation.com.

More info? Simply contact Angling Trust Partnership Development Manager James Roche – [email protected] on 07791 786 251