Get Fishing event proves ‘Young People Can Fish’ at Abington Park Lake – a great day fishing and awards for taking part and learning skills outdoors

A great Get Fishing event in Northampton run by “Young People Can Fish” and Sue Galloway, at Abington Park Lake saw youngsters catch their first fish recently.

This was a collaborative event between Northamptonshire Association of Youth Clubs NAYC and Northampton Nene Angling Club. where newcomers to angling had a go at fishing using basic tackle provided on the day – this including elasticated whips where it’s really simple to pick up new skills and catch a fish. The kind of fishing that helps you to start fishing before moving on to more specialist skills. This means at Get Fishing events you can try out fishing with the kit and bait provided to use at the venue, but there’s no need to commit to any expense to begin with. Perfect for any families working within a budget, or looking for some school holiday activities to keep children active outdoors and away from their screens for a bit! Everyone attending this day and others like it gets to practice their new skills which include how to catch and safely return fish to the water.

Sue Galloway, Licenced Level 2 Angling Coach who ran this particular event which is one of many that she runs to help get more people fishing, more often because of the social, health, wellbeing and positive effects that simply spending time fishing, next to water, told us:

“It was a struggle to get the fish going to begin with, but luckily all the young people caught one or more fish! A huge thank you must go to everyone involved including Abington Angling Club for use of the lake, Chris, Stephen and Jon for supporting the coaching – and a special mention for our juniors Ben, Harry, Rory and Finley for running the maggot race, bean bag and ball games, supporting the coaches and fundraising for the junior section too – your support is greatly appreciated!”

Here are a few pics from the day, which are pretty typical of our Get Fishing events that take a newcomer from absolute beginner level through their Bronze, Silver and Gold Get Fishing Award based progressive angling skills and, if the participant wants to, then onwards to their Get Fishing CAST Award, where they can develop any particular area of fishing that has captured their imagination, that they want to improve on, or even want to try as a completely new or different fishing skill!

Sue continued:

“This event was made possible through Angling Trust Get Fishing Fund, to who we are greatly appreciative.

“Two participants received their full Get Fishing Awards (Bronze, Silver and Gold) and the others received their have a go award sticker.”

We’re helping to organise more Get Fishing Events like this in your area too, and in fact all over the country!

Events are added to our website and social media all the time so, please check our Get Fishing events diary for new events near to you.

The Get Fishing campaign is funded by

The Angling Trust’s 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 before you 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 to have the proper fishing licence before they take hold of the fishing rod or help the child fish with it.

Get Fishing is Proudly Supported by

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.

If there’s something that you cannot find here to help you start fishing or return to angling, please contact your local Regional Angling Development Officer – you can find the nearest one to where you want to go fishing here.