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The charity making life better by water

Biggest ever Let’s Fish! campaign announced

Working with the Angling Trust, we aim to get thousands of young people and their families fishing in 2019 – with more events set to take place across the country than ever before.

Girl in Birmingham learning to fish at Let's Fish!

The partnership will see over 200 free fishing taster sessions, as well as many skills development events for angling coaches, taking place across the country between April and the end of October.

The events will encourage people to get outdoors and experience the health and wellbeing benefits of fishing on their local waterways.

Visitors to the events will be taught the basics of fishing by a professional licenced angling coach and get the opportunity to learn about the huge variety of fish that live in canals and rivers. All tackle and bait as well as a rod license and fishing permit will be provided for free on the day meaning people can simply book in, turn up and have a go.

Funding supporters of Let's Fish! 2019

Funding for the sessions has come from ourselves, the Angling Trust, players of the People's Postcode Lottery plus the Environment Agency, which uses money from fishing licence sales to provide more opportunities to go fishing as well as reinvesting in improving angling habitats and infrastructure.

In addition to the regular programme of events, we also successfully bid to run a series of Let's Fish! sessions in the Nene Valley as part of the wider National Lottery Heritage Fund sponsored Nenescape Landscape Partnership Scheme.

John Ellis, our national fisheries & angling manager, said: “We're thrilled to be working alongside the Angling Trust again on our programme of Let's Fish! angling taster events.

“These events have proved incredibly popular with more than 4,000 people taking part since we first went into partnership with Angling Trust in the spring of 2018.

“You never forget catching your first fish and so these events have got a really important role to play in developing the next generation of anglers. Let's Fish! provides the opportunity to discover the health and wellbeing benefits of fishing while enjoying some quality family time and having a go at something different. It's a great way for people to discover the amazing waterways that are right on their doorstep and available for everybody to enjoy.”

Clive Copeland, Head of Participation at the Angling Trust added: "We are incredibly enthusiastic to have the opportunity to work with the Canal & River Trust again in 2019. We're also very grateful for the continued support of the Environment Agency which recognises the importance of providing fun, safe and friendly events for beginner anglers.

“Let's Fish! events are the perfect chance for the whole family to get outdoors and learn about the beautiful network of canals and rivers that are right on most people's doorsteps. What's more Let's Fish! events are all free and that includes a day's fishing licence and permit as well as tackle and bait. Brilliant for so many mums and dads looking for healthy kids activities on a budget!"

Our waterways are home to millions of fish including around 40 different species. In fact, the Canal & River Trust is the single biggest owner of coarse fishing rights in England and Wales with over 2,000 miles of waterways and over 40 feeder reservoirs. It is estimated that it would cost £40 million to replace all our fish stock.

Come and have a go - find a local Let's Fish! taster session near you.

Two women eat lunch next to the canal

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Last Edited: 08 April 2019

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