Bury women’s community group gives fishing a go

A fantastic group of women and young people from The BAME Project in Bury tried something completely new this Easter holidays – learning how to fish at Starmount Fishery, thanks to the Angling Trust’s Get Fishing campaign.

“Coming out into open space is so good for mental health and mindfulness. Getting together away from the hustle and bustle of daily life gives us a chance to breathe, to catch up, and to try something completely new. Fishing felt like a natural next step for us.”

“I took some time off during half term to be with my siblings, and it’s been such a refreshing experience. I’ve picked up a new life skill, but more importantly, I’ve learned about patience and being present. It’s so important to take a step back and enjoy the moment—and catching a fish in this beautiful weather made it a lovely event.”

“The Get Fishing Awards are all about giving beginners the chance to experience the excitement of catching their first fish, and this group really stood out. What was even more special was the group’s appreciation for nature and how fishing connects us to the wider environment. We even have ecosystem expert Ian Doyle talk about bait, bugs, and the ‘creepy crawlies’ that keep our waters healthy. It has been a brilliant few days of discovery and fun. Among the new anglers, one young man plans to complete his Get Fishing Award in just three sessions—a remarkable achievement. He’s now ready to fish independently, proving that with the right support, goals can be achieved.”

“It was an absolute pleasure teaching this amazing group of women and young people. They were incredibly easy to work with – their enthusiasm for the natural world was infectious, and their patience and tenacity shone through. They picked things up quickly and brought such great energy to every session. We’d welcome them back to Starmount Fishery any time – they’re well on their way to becoming brilliant lifelong anglers.”

“Angling is so much more than just casting a line – it opens the door to the outdoors and all the educational, health, and wellbeing benefits that come with it. We’re committed to making sure women in the local community and families can experience fishing, often for free or at low cost in their local area. It’s a brilliant way to build lifelong connections with nature and each other.”

The ‘Reel Education‘ project is a Free primary school resource that has been developed by the Angling Trust and Shakespeare Fishing Tackle. Lesson plans and activities have been created by teachers, for teachers and are linked to the national framework. If you are a schoolteacher, education worker or parent who is interested in running a Reel Education programme please contact us.

The Get Fishing campaign to get more people fishing more often is funded by the Environment Agency from fishing licence income as part of the National Angling Strategic Services contract with the Angling Trust, and Sport England. Children under 13 do not need a licence, and licences for children aged between 13 and 16 are free but you still need to register and receive a licence in order to go fishing. You can get a licence for the full year, for 8 days (ideal for holidays!) or just a day’s fishing.

NOTE: Although young children who are under 13 year old do not need a licence to fish, the person supervising them needs the proper fishing licence to take hold of the rod or to help the child fish with it.

The Angling Trust’s ‘Get Fishing’ campaign is proudly supported by
Shakespeare, Exclusive Tackle Partner and Angling Direct, Exclusive Retail Partner
as we all work towards getting more people fishing, more often.