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Take a friend fishing – why you're the key to angling’s bright future

Why not introduce someone to fishing? Perhaps a relative who has never fished or a friend who needs a bit of encouragement to pick up a rod again.

It turns out that most new anglers are introduced to fishing by friends and family. That makes you, an existing angler, the most important angling coach there is.

If you like the idea of introducing friends and family to fishing but are a little nervous about whether they will enjoy it or how to make the trip a success then worry no more. Over 90 per cent attending angling introduction events say they had a great time — even if they didn’t go fishing again — so odds-on your friends will love it too.

What can you do?

A good starting point is National Fishing Month which runs this year from 17 July to 15 August.

Encourage someone to attend an event — better still go with them. Find out if there is one near you by viewing the National Fishing Week website:

What’s more, you can take advantage of the Take a Friend Fishing campaign. During National Fishing Month, you can take a someone else fishing without them having to buy their own licence. All you need is your licence and the free one-day rod licence voucher available with the Anglers Mail magazine. It’s as simple as that.

And, if they enjoy it, why not encourage them to buy a licence and spend the rest of the summer on the bankside?

Find out more on the Take a Friend Fishing website:

If you are thinking of taking a friend or family member fishing for the first time then we strongly recommend you check out the Take a friend fishing advice written by top angling photographer Matt Harris. Make that first trip a successful one and you could have an angling buddy for life!