Come and Try Angling – Get Fishing Events for newcomers are fun introduction to get into fishing

The ‘Come and Try Angling’ event at Hartsmoor Fishery, Devon proved to be a huge success – and a heart-warming celebration of community, learning, and the legacy of a much-loved local angler.

A total of 42 young anglers took part in the taster day, supported by coaches and volunteers who guided complete beginners through their first casts. The smiles said it all – every participant caught at least one fish, with many landing their very first ever.

Parents praised the friendly, encouraging atmosphere, and volunteers said the determination and enthusiasm shown by the youngsters was “inspiring and brilliant to see.”

Thanks go to the Angling Trust’s Dean Asplin and volunteer Mark for delivering expert coaching and support, and to everyone at Hartsmoor Lakes for keeping John’s community-focused vision alive.

Keeping a Legacy Alive

Hartsmoor Fishery continues to uphold John Griss’s belief that everyone should have the chance to experience fishing. By hosting free or low-cost community events, the fishery isn’t just providing opportunities – it’s creating lasting memories and giving young people a connection with the outdoors that can stay with them for life.

Why Events Like This Matter

The day embodied what the Angling Trust’s Get Fishing campaign champions: making angling accessible, enjoyable, and beneficial for people of all ages and backgrounds.

According to the campaign, angling is one of the UK’s most inclusive outdoor activities — and it offers much more than just catching fish:

Wellbeing and relaxation: Time by the water gives young people a rare chance to slow down, breathe, and enjoy calm, natural surroundings. Many parents commented on how peaceful the venue felt, even with excited children catching fish.

Mental health benefits: Casting, watching the water, and waiting for a bite all encourage focus and mindfulness — skills that help reduce stress and build resilience.

Outdoor adventure: For many participants, this was their first experience of wildlife close-up: seeing dragonflies skim the surface, spotting birds in the reeds, and learning how fish behave.

Confidence and achievement: Catching a fish – especially a first fish – is a powerful moment. With every successful cast and every bite, the youngsters grew in confidence and pride.

Community and connection: Fishing brings people together. Children made new friends, parents chatted on the bank, and volunteers shared skills that could inspire lifelong hobbies.

About Get Fishing

If you would like to get into fishing click here and come along to one of the beginner events listed on this website – everyone is welcome and even if you have never picked up a fishing rod before, or haven’t been fishing since you were younger, we’ll make you welcome and help you discover the wonderful world of angling, in an all-inclusive, friendly and low-presuure environment. Our Get Fishing days are a great introduction to angling because you can simply turn up and fish and don’t need to bring any of your own fishing tackle or bait – it will all be provided to use on the day, by the event organiser.

The Get Fishing campaign, run by the Angling Trust and funded by the Environment Agency and Sport England, aims to make fishing accessible to everyone. Each year, hundreds of beginner-friendly sessions take place across England – covering coarse, fly and sea fishing – offering free or low-cost tuition and all the equipment needed to get started. The campaign also supports a Get Fishing Awards pathway, guiding new anglers from their first cast to fishing independently, while the Get Fishing for Wellbeing initiative promotes the mental health and social benefits of time spent by the water.

Participants automatically join the Get Fishing Club, gaining access to exclusive resources, newsletters, and a 25% discount on beginner tackle from Angling Direct, the campaign’s exclusive retail partner.

Find an event near you or contact your Regional Angling Development Officer to discover your local options for angling.

Useful Links

• Get Fishing – https://anglingtrust.net/getfishing
• Get Fishing Awards – https://anglingtrust.net/getfishing/get-fishing-awards
• Get Fishing for Wellbeing – https://anglingtrust.net/getfishing/getfishingforwellbeing
• Angling Direct – https://www.anglingdirect.co.uk
• Angling Trust – https://anglingtrust.net

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 Angling Direct, Exclusive Retail Partner
as we 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.