A new experience for your winter holidays
To access the Take a Friend Fishing initiative this winter between Friday 22nd December and Tuesday 2nd January (inclusive), existing fishing licence holders can register for a FREE one-day fishing licence from the Environment Agency at www.takeafriendfishing.co.uk and take someone they know fishing.
Get Involved with Angling This Winter
With the pressures of modern life, physical health and mental well-being are more important than ever. The experience of a fishing trip with a work colleague, family member, partner or just a mate offers the ideal opportunity to unwind and recharge your battery whilst being active at the same time. Find out more at www.takeafriendfishing.co.uk/#faqs
Getting outside in the countryside is a great way to be together with family and friends and angling is the perfect fit for staying active outdoors, especially if you are staying inEngland or Wales over the Christmas holidays. There are many fisheries near to where you live that are perfect to visit for a catch-up with a friend during a quick Take a Friend Fishing trip together. Find out about where you can fish safely at www.takeafriendfishing.co.uk/#faqs
Registering for a free one-day fishing licence couldn’t be easier.
Simply visit www.takeafriendfishing.co.uk/register-free-friend-fishing-licence/ select the date of your fishing trip, enter some basic information about you and your friend, and away you go!
The free fishing licence will be sent with a confirmation email, so please remember to have your fishing licence and both people’s email addresses plus a few other details handy when you pre-register to Take a Friend Fishing.
Take a Friend Fishing is an initiative run by Angling Trades Association in association with the Environment Agency and supported by Angling Trust, Canal & River Trust and many other angling organisations. Take a Friend Fishing opens up the world of angling to people from all age groups and communities, giving the opportunity for anglers and non-anglers alike, at all levels of ability, the chance to get into fishing or back into fishing after time away.
Take a Friend Fishing has extended its annual programme to give the biggest window of opportunity yet to anglers, non-anglers and those thinking about reconnecting with the pastime they once enjoyed.
This year, we want even more people to get their backside bankside and Take a Friend Fishing to show them just how easy it is to get into angling and experience the benefits of time out in nature. To relax and engage with nature and the outdoors is a rewarding experience especially with a friend and with a free one-day fishing licence from the Environment Agency worth £6.50 (coarse and non-migratory trout) it’s even easier to do.
A Collaboration for Angling
Andrew Race, Chairman of the Angling Trades Association (ATA), added, “The TAFF23 campaign has been a great success this year, and we wanted to reward registrants with another opportunity to go fishing with a friend over the festive period”. “TAFF is capable of making such a difference, not only to the long-term development of angling recruitment but also to people’s lives. Angling is a proven therapy both mentally and physically, and it knows no boundaries in terms of ability, age, sex, or background”.
Heidi Stone, Environment Agency Fisheries Partnerships Manager, “Fishing with family members or friends is a fantastic way to spend quality time together whilst also enjoying all that nature has to offer. Take a Friend Fishing is a brilliant campaign that allows anglers of all levels of ability to improve their skills or simply give fishing a try – and I’m proud to be again supporting this initiative that makes this great hobby more accessible for all.” “During these colder months, an hour or two fishing is a great way to clear your head and reconnect with your friends and family”.
John W Ellis BSc (Hons) FIFM National Fisheries and Angling Manager Canal & River Trust, said “Canal & River Trust is delighted to be working alongside the Angling Trade Association to support the Take a Friend fishing initiative in 2023. Our Trust is responsible for looking after over 2000 miles of canal fishery and over 70 reservoirs. Over 8 million people live within 1000 metres of one of our fisheries, and nearly 50% of the population live within 5 miles of one. We will be encouraging members of the 250 angling clubs who rent water from us to help their club grow membership by taking a friend fishing with them for a day.’
Clive Copeland, Head of Participation at the Angling Trust, commented, “Getting outside in the countryside is such a great way to relax and can reduce stress levels during what can be a busy time of year for many people. Taking a friend or family member for a winter fishing trip at Christmas is the ideal opportunity to catch up, keep active, get outdoors, and fish safely together when most fisheries, lakes, stretches or river and canal are still open and are perfect to visit even in colder weather.”
