Wild Weather and Wide Smiles for National Fishing Month

The infamous British weather tried its very best to confuse the public last weekend for the launch of National Fishing Month (NFM). Despite blistering heat, high velocity winds and even lashings of rain, NFM events kicked off in style, bringing instant joy and lasting memories to the many people who took part.

At a showcase NFM event at The Game Fair at Ragley Hall, near Evesham, coaching teams from The Professional Anglers Association and the Game Angling Instructors Association battled the wild weather conditions to give free coaching sessions to hundreds of youngsters and adults alike, often with whole families having a go, to cast a fly line or catch a fish on the lake. Some fabulous fish were caught, and there were wide smiles on the faces of the happy participants.

In addition to offering coaching sessions, Nick Watkins (PAA) and Rob Doyle (GAIA) spoke about getting new people into fishing at the Fishing Theatre in the centre of Fishing Village. Nick commented: ‘The audiences were great and were certainly interested and engaging.’  Rob added: ‘The Game Fair organisers deserve hearty congratulations for recognising the importance of recruiting new anglers and for providing such a fabulous public platform to showcase how we carry out our coaching.’

Everyone who took part in a coaching session went home with a NFM ‘goody bag’ containing the ‘Get Into Fishing’ booklet full of information on how to get started and advice on different types of fishing, a log book to make a note of their first catches and a special certificate as a memento of their days free fishing.

There are still hundreds of free events available to attend nationwide, listed online at www.nationalfishingmonth.com so there’ll be a participating venue close to everyone. Taking part is simplicity itself – just need to register online and then turn up. Everything will be provided without charge, and most people will experience the thrill of catching their first fish under the watchful guidance of their coach.

National Fishing Month 2018 runs between 27th July and 2nd September.

Notes to editors
Useful website links include:-
Take a Friend Fishing: www.takeafriendfishing.co.uk
National Fishing Month:www.nationalfishingmonth.com
Angling Coaches:www.anglingtrust.net, www.paauk.co.uk, www.anglingcymru.org.uk
To buy a fishing licence:https://www.gov.uk/fishing-licences/buy-a-fishing-licence

About National Fishing Month (27th July and 2nd September 2018)

National Fishing Month is a celebration of the sport of angling. It is organised and led by the Angling Trades Association with the Angling Trust, Angling Cymru, Game Angling Instructors Association, the Professional Anglers Association and the Environment Agency as supporting partners.

All over the country, qualified coaches give their time to welcome newcomers to the sport. Fees are waived and tackle is often made available free of charge by supporting manufacturers, fishery owners and retailers.

Established in 1992, National Fishing Month is celebrating its 26th year in 2018

About the Angling Trades Association

The Angling Trades Association is the only professional body to represent the angling industry in the UK. The Association counts amongst its membership base most of the UK’s major angling suppliers and wholesalers, as well as leading retailers, coarse fisheries and publishers. Dubbed the ‘governing body for the tackle trade’, the ATA is celebrating its 45th year in 2018.

The ATA’s aim is to promote, represent and protect the trade across all three angling disciplines – sea, game and coarse fishing. In so doing it strives to achieve not only long-term stability for the sport but, more importantly, growth and development.

www.nationalfishingmonth.com