Sport: Why not try your hand at fishing?

There’s a golden opportunity to learn how to fish or improve your angling skills from this weekend with the start of National Fishing Month.

The Environment Agency, in partnership with the Angling Trades Association and supported by the Angling Trust, the Angling Development Board and the Professional Anglers Association, is encouraging everyone to try their hand at fishing during the month-long event, which runs until Sunday, August 14.

Across the South East fishery owners and angling coaches will be giving up their time to encourage both young and old to try the nation’s most popular pastime for free.

Throughout National Fishing Month there are many events to suit everyone from ‘Family Fun Days’ to ‘Fishing taster sessions’.

Brian Smart, Environment Agency angling participation officer for the South East, said: “We are delighted to support such a worthwhile campaign as fishing is great fun for the whole family. It is also a great way of learning about our natural environment, wildlife and the importance of looking after our rivers and lakes.

“National Fishing Month includes of hundreds of events at local fisheries, where qualified coaches are available to help you and your family learn how to fish or to improve your skills in a controlled environment. Open to all ages, National Fishing Month events are free and tackle is often available if you don’t have your own. So everyone is invited to give fishing a go.”

If you would like to get involved and take part, view the events listed on the National Fishing Month website and enter your postcode: www.nationalfishingmonth.com.

The sessions nearest to you will then be listed and you can find out more details. Events and where to fish guides are available on the Environment Agency’s website: www.environment-agency.gov.uk/fish.

Every year over one million people in the UK buy a rod licence from the Environment Agency to go fishing. The money generated from sales is invested back into the sport to protect and improve our fisheries for the future.

Buying a new rod licence is easy - around 15,000 Post Offices and other outlets sell them, they can be purchased over the telephone on 0844 800 5386, by direct debit or online at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/fish