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The charity making life better by water

Passing on the magic of fishing

We’re delighted that gifts in Wills helped welcome a new generation of anglers to the sport, by supporting our Let’s Fish! programme last year.

A young boy sitting next to a volunteer with a fishing rod on the canal bank turns to smile at the camera.

These introductory taster sessions run by qualified coaches are open to anyone, of any age. The thousands of events our amazing Let’s Fish! team have run ever since 2017 have helped breathe new life into angling, giving it a sustainable future. So far, over 20,000 people have taken part, and over 50,000 hours of coaching has been given, since the programme began.

Each summer culminates in a National Celebration of Young People and Fishing match, where last year 452 young anglers, including a record 76 girls, represented their local fishing club to win a host of prizes and awards.

National fisheries and angling manager, John Ellis says, “Fishing is a fantastic way for young people to switch off, enjoy nature and spend time together outdoors. We are all so passionate about Let's Fish! because it doesn’t exclude anyone, it teaches calmness and relaxation, but also patience, resilience, care and responsibility for wildlife."

£88,000 donated through gifts in Wills last year helped us provide over 7,000 free Let’s Fish! sessions open to everyone.

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Last Edited: 4 August 2026

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