My Own ‘Angling Journey’ – How I got into fishing – Linsey Field on how she started sea fishing

We join Linsey Field as she explains how a little bit of encouragement from neighbours helped spark a love of angling and developed into a desire to help others discover how easy it is to get into fishing, and catch your first fish!

I will start by saying I am by no means a great angler, I am however relentless when fishing and I am loving every minute of learning how to fish!

My angling journey began with my husband Wayne buying me a telescopic rod for when we went on holiday. Before that, Wayne had spent many years abroad watching me, as I stood knee deep in the sea, throwing out a hand line baited with that morning’s breakfast from the hotel buffet!

A proud moment with a mullet caught in a harbour close to where I live

While he is now my biggest supporter, he’d probably also say that could have been a bad-move on his part as I have pretty much now taken over his fishing shed – he often returns home to find I have raided his rigs, tackle and bait!

I’ve had the privilege of growing up 100m from the sea and have always had an innate interest in the coast and its beautiful creatures. When I was younger and my neighbours went fishing, I was often taken along with them to get out of the house and see what they got up to – I wish I’d paid more attention back then.

Thirty-five years on and I’m now lucky enough to call those neighbours my good friends. Michael and David Wood-Brignall have really mentored me over the last year and I’d like to say a huge thank you to them. They have encouraged me in every way possible, including showing me all about fishing tackle, rig making, the importance of bait, how to present it naturally and how to look after the fish I return. Importantly too, they’ve helped me set achievable goals that motivate me and give me a challenge to look forward to, therefore progressing my all-round understanding.

With this help from family and friends I had soon picked up enough knowledge and experience to try targeting specific kinds of fish.  At that point I started sharing pics of my successes on social media and I started getting messages of encouragement from a wider audience than just my neighbours! Even better though were the personal thanks-messages I received which explained that because my posts had been seen by family members – usually wives and kids – they had been encouraged to try fishing too.

It didn’t take long to be able to go out and catch a specific kind of fish – like this – it’s so rewarding!

After about a year I was introduced to some of the Shimano Fishing team at an angling show and we chatted about all things fishing. Soon after that I was asked to became one of their Brand Ambassadors – amazing! Personally I like to think I’m more of an apprentice with an awesome team of anglers around me to guide, instruct and support me.

I sometimes reflect on all the new experiences that fishing has brought, what’s the best thing about fishing, or why I go fishing. Well, catching a new species is a great feeling, especially when you have used a specific method, bait or tackle that you know works well for that fish. But so too is helping pass on my understanding of fishing to newcomers.

For example, when I was recently asked if I could help out at the Reel Masters sea fishing event in Weymouth I wasn’t sure what use I would be, after all I was relatively new to the sport wasn’t I? There was a need to support the Participation Team from the Angling Trust with running its Get Fishing ‘have-a-go’ taster session fishing events to introduce newcomers and families to the amazing experiences and benefits of fishing.

But I am so pleased I made the decision to go! The Angling Trust Participation Team were so welcoming, funny and a wealth of knowledge. The excitement of seeing or helping someone to catch their first fish really is infectious and the time absolutely flew by! I quickly realised that day that although I might feel like my own fishing is still in its infancy, I can still help others to take the first step on a journey into angling.

Here I am with Dean and Jimmy from Get Fishing at the Reel Masters event in Weymouth

So, at some point during that busy day – when it was suggested that I could train to become an Angling Trust qualified and licenced angling coach – well, I jumped at the chance!

As I write this I am now looking forward to the next step in my angling journey. I will be joining in at some upcoming Get Fishing starter events in the south of England run by the Angling Trust and getting some Level 1 and Level 2 Angling Coach training under my belt. Maybe I will see you at one of these free fishing events for beginners!

I hope anybody reading this who might be thinking of trying fishing will be encouraged to take their first step – it’s way simpler than you think to get into fishing – there is a huge, friendly nationwide angling network that will help show you what to do, where to go and what to use to catch your first fish, or get back into angling.

Helping newcomers catch fish like this is what makes me want to become a qualified angling coach

To begin with, you could try contacting the Angling Trust Participation Team (the same guys I met at Weymouth) who will help you find the next beginner session close to you. They can also put you in touch with your local fishing tackle shop, club, fishery and coaches that will be more than willing to show you or your kids how to start fishing without the need to buy a single piece of fishing tackle or bait to begin with.

Take it from there and see how you get on. I bet you won’t regret it!

Linsey

Linsey Field

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.