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Recruitment campaign returns to attract newcomers to sport

Take a Friend Fishing now!

AS RESTRICTIONS on social distancing are eased across the UK, we’re delighted to announce that the Take A Friend Fishing (TAFF) initiative is back for 2020 – giving you the perfect opportunity to treat a loved one, family member or colleague to their first-ever fishing trip!

Run by the Angling Trades Association in partnership with the Environment Agency and the Angling Trust, the scheme offers anglers a free, one-day EA rod licence for a fishing session any time up until July 19.

The Angling Trust’s Promotions Manager Will Smith says: “What makes TAFF even more special this year is that after months of dreaming about it we can finally get out and share the thing we care about most with the people we care about most.”

Plenty of newcomers to the sport and returning anglers have already benefited from the scheme, among them Andy Wood (56) from Castleford. He says: “I heard about TAFF and took three work colleagues for a day at Raker Lakes near York.

“Two of my friends had never been fishing before and the other, Carol, used to go with her partner, so it was great for her to get back out on the bank. They all caught fish, had a great time and are desperate to go again.”

It’s not just anglers who the TAFF campaign has helped either. Fisheries, too, are benefiting from the surge in angling participation.

Jonathan Read, owner of Bells Mill Fishery in Stourbridge, tells us: “TAFF helps to ensure the future longevity of our sport.

“Over the last few weeks it’s been great to see new faces turn up at our fishery – including families and kids looking to wet a line and catch their first fish.”