10-Aug-2006
- The Environment Agency is casting a network
of angling events across England and Wales for
National Fishing Week (August 19-28), encouraging
novice anglers to try the nation’s most popular
outdoor sport.
Across hundreds of sites, top
coaches have been recruited to provide free angling
tuition and advice, in a bid to lure new people
into the sport.
"There are millions of
people out there who would like to go fishing
but either have no one to go with, don’t know
where to go or have no tackle to use," said
Richard Wightman, Environment Agency Angling Development
Manager.
"National Fishing Week
addresses all those barriers and gives people
a chance to try out fishing and meet people who
will help them take up the sport and stick with
it.
"Interest in angling is
on a real high at the moment and with the obvious
social and economic benefits of the sport, the
Environment Agency want to help the angling community
seize on this growth.
"Over the last two years,
more than one hundred thousand people have tried
out angling at National Fishing Week and the various
other events that the Environment Agency supports.
As the flagship program for recruiting new anglers,
we want to see that number continue to rise. So
not only are we sponsoring and promoting National
Fishing Week, but we’re waiving the need for a
rod licence for anyone attending an official event.
"The Environment Agency
is incredibly grateful for the support and enthusiasm
of all the angling coaches and fishery owners
who put so much effort in making them work. Thanks
also to Dreamstore, Sports-match and Royal Bank
of Scotland who have all made important contributions.
The fishing tackle trade is also more engaged
this year and that’s good news for the future."
For details of events near you visit:
www.nationalfishingweek.co.uk
Head Office Press Office
