Full News Report
2nd April 2025
Your chance to ‘take a friend fishing’
THE Angling Trades Association (ATA) has launched its spring ‘Take A Friend Fishing’ campaign. From Good Friday (April 18) to Sunday, May 4 (inclusive) the promotion aims to build on past successes and get even more people to take up the sport.
“‘Take a Friend Fishing’ continues to grow with more weekends and more opportunities for people to go fishing and create those long-lasting friendships and memories,” said Andrew Race, chairman of the ATA.
Existing fishing licence holders can register for a free one-day fishing licence from the Environment Agency at https://takeafriendfishing.co.uk and then they can take someone they know fishing.
“Half-terms, National and family holidays all provide opportunities for us to unwind, be with friends and interact with the environment around us,” said Race.
“Taking a friend or family member on a fishing trip is a great way to spend time outdoors. Escaping modern life to build friendships, create lasting memories and just enjoy some time next to the water, is the ultimate in relaxation.”
Find out more by visiting: https://www.takeafriendfishing.co.uk/#faqs
“Registering for a free one-day fishing licence is straight-forward,” said Race. “Once the TAFF registration goes live, simply 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 e-mail, so please remember to have your fishing licence and both people’s email addresses plus a few other details handy when you pre-register.”
‘Take a Friend Fishing’ is an initiative run by Angling Trades Association and its members in association with the Environment Agency and supported by DEFRA, the Angling Trust, the Canal & River Trust and many angling and other organisations with a vested interest in angling, recreation, the environment and well-being.
“This campaign has opened 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,” said Race.
“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.”
A free one-day fishing licence from the Environment Agency is worth £7.30 for coarse and non-migratory trout or £13.50 for salmon and sea trout.
Heidi Stone, the Environment Agency’s fisheries partnerships manager, said that fishing with family members or friends was “a fantastic way to spend quality time together whilst also enjoying all that nature has to offer.
“This 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 again be supporting this initiative that makes this great hobby more accessible for all.”