Get Fishing events are fun, friendly and safe fishing days for families and individuals of all abilities

Come and try fishing at our quality assured angling events and discover the wonders of angling! Whether you’re fishing for the first time, heading out for a day out with the family, or getting back into angling, fishing is a great way to get out there doing something different and will teach kids new outdoor skills.

Everything you need to catch your first fish or learn more about fishing is provided and our friendly volunteers will make you welcome. So, come on – book a place and Get Fishing!

We’ve developed the Get Fishing Awards to help take you on the first steps of your angling journey – from the unforgettable excitement of catching your first fish, right through to becoming a more experienced angler who can set up tackle, safely return your own fish and have the correct Environment Agency fishing licence. You can’t easily fit all of this into a short ‘taster session’ so we’ve created a simple three-step programme…

Have a Go!

Bronze Award

The Environment Agency provide a free rod licence for your event so that everyone can discover what angling is all about.

Beginner!

Silver Award

Working with smaller groups of the participants from Bronze sessions this award provides a more in-depth guide. At the end participants will be fishing confidently on their own!

New Angler!

Gold Award

This session will enable a participant to go fishing by themselves. Knot tying, fish welfare and the finer details will be covered. Depending on age, the angler will be shown how to register and pay for their fishing licence and complete their angler journey.

IMPORTANT Booking Information: You MUST contact the Event Primary Contact before attending this event. Use their details on this page – see below. They will let you know about time-slots and booking-in procedures which follow Covid-19 guidelines. Walk-ons will not be accepted.

Cost: Free. Prebooking essential. Session date is subject to change.

Times: 10.00am – 12.00 noon

Venue: Lakewood, Lakewood Road, Christchurch, Dorset BH23 5NX

Type of Fishing: Coarse

Get Fishing Award Accreditation Level:

Perfect for: Families and kids of all ages and experience levels. People under the age of 18, or vulnerable people under 21 years old must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

What happens on the day: This event is part of the BRAND NEW Get Fishing Awards. All adults, children and young people attending will discover what angling is all about and how to take up fishing. You’ll find out how to use fishing rods, reels, line and tackle to catch fish and return them safely. There will be Get Fishing volunteers on hand to give tips and help to assess participants in order to award the brand new Get Fishing Award. They’ll also provide you with more info about your local club or fishery, so you know where to go fishing next time.

Tackle: Tackle, and everything else to catch a fish will be provided on the day. No need to bring any equipment.

Do I need to bring anything with me…? Outdoor events are weather dependent so please bring something to keep you dry and/or sunblock and a drink. For events including “game angling” we recommend that you wear a hat and glasses/sunglasses to protect your head and eyes while casting.

Disability information: Volunteers and coaches at Get Fishing events are provided with essential best practice guidance on working with and planning events for disabled and mobility impaired people. Please check with the venue contact about the facilities available.

Additional Info: At the end of the Get Fishing Award pathway, you will have received a badge for each of three sessions – Have a Go, New Angler and Angler. The Get Fishing Awards programme starts with a simple, short, active angling taster session with the focus on giving you the chance of catching a fish. Get Fishing events happen at friendly, quality assured venues with space set aside for beginners or those who seek to take part in the Get Fishing Awards.

Covid-19 Guidelines: If you have Covid-19 symptoms, please do not attend. Walk-ons will not be accepted. If you can no longer attend, please get in touch with the Event Primary Contact (see below) to allow another budding angler a chance to take part. Social distancing measures will be in place and all equipment will be cleaned in between sessions. Please see latest Government guidelines here.

1] EVENT PRIMARY CONTACT:

Paul Hardie
07742 083 888
[email protected]

2] ANGLING TRUST CONTACT

Dean Asplin
Angling Development Manager (South)
Angling Trust
07854 239 731
[email protected]

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. Fishing licences for juniors under the age of 17 are free, but you still need to register and receive a licence in order to go fishing.