National Fishing Month is back!
Over 250 events... and you can help to get more anglers on the bank
NOW’S your chance to be part of one of the most highly anticipated events in the angling calendar.
This coming Friday sees the launch of National Fishing Month 2016 (NFM) that boasts more than 250 individual, action-packed events held at award-winning fisheries across the nation.
The primary objective of NFM is to secure the future of our sport by introducing new people to fishing. The focus of the event is on juniors and families, who will be taking part in hundreds of fun initiatives during the coming weeks.
Some of the sport’s biggest names, along with leading angling clubs, tackle companies, organisations and tackle shops, have united to throw their support behind the scheme.
Organisers predict that this year’s extravaganza, starting on July 22, will be the biggest in NFM’s 24-year history.
“Since the launch of this event it’s created over a quarter-of-amillion new anglers, which is something everyone involved is very proud of. This year’s NFM is shaping up to be very special indeed,” said event organiser Naidre Werner.
“Even though there are hundreds of initiatives already pencilled into the calendar, we are still encouraging anyone who wants to take part by staging an event to contact us.
“There’s no better way of getting newcomers into the sport because we can ensure that every organiser gets the very best advice and support to ensure their event is a big hit.”
National Fishing Month has been responsible for introducing more than 250,000 new anglers to the sport since its launch in 1992, and is organised and led by the Angling Trades Association with the Angling Trust, Angling Cymru, the Canal & River Trust, the Professional Anglers Association and the Environment Agency as
“The focus of National Fishing Month is on juniors and families”
supporting partners.
John Ellis is National Fisheries and Angling Manager for the Canal & Rivers Trust and has been heavily involved in the forwardthinking initative since it was first launched.
“If you own a fishery, run an angling club or have a tackle shop then you should be a part of NFM because I’ve seen what a difference schemes like this make – whether 500 or just five people pick up a rod for the first time,” he told Angling Times.
“There are so many exciting events going on during the next few months that there’s bound to be at least one that most people can get to.
“As anglers we have a duty to try and get more people into this great sport to secure its future.
Hundreds of fully-qualified angling coaches will be giving up their spare time to assist newcomers to the sport as part of this year’s NFM.
Essex-based Nick Watkins has been a full-time angling coach for the last seven years and he’s overseeing a handful of events in this year’s schedule.
“I’m booked up well into next year, which just proves how much demand there is for people to learn how to start up in this sport or improve their skills.
“NFM is such a great opportunity to showcase how great angling is,” he added.
“If you want to be a part of it or stage an event, all you have to do is have a look at the website and get in touch… believe me, it’s as easy as that.
“There’s no better way of getting non-fishing family members or some of your mates to try fishing for the first time.”