As an island nation, the United Kingdom comes alive along its coasts and waterways. From seaside towns to the canals of the big city, rivers and streams are at its heart. With this comes its booming fishing sector, ranging from the trawlers in the North Sea to trout fishers in its small lakes. If you have never tried fishing before, then it has a lot of benefits which you must consider.
The UK’s Fascination with Fishing
The UK has long had a cult relationship with fishing entertainment shows. In particular, extreme angler and biologist Jeremy Wade is now ubiquitous for his meme-worthy videos, very often from his series River Monsters. Aired on the Discovery Channel, this show, looking at legends of the waterways, was commissioned for over nine series.
Standing atop this, and the series that pulled fishing shows from obscure slots to mainstream time slots, is Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing. First broadcast in 2018, it follows the adventures of comedians Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse as they fish the coasts, lakes and streams of the UK. With their dog Ted, it is full of warm humour and gentle ribbing that makes a pleasurable and easy watch.
Even the casual digital gaming arena has not escaped fishing mania. Big Bass Bonanza is one of the most popular online slot games in the UK, with numerous iterations and sequels. Its appeal lies in its simple mechanics, with 10 paylines and 5 reels. This allows the game to remain interesting, but also makes it great for entry-level players. Added to this are the fun and interesting angling-based themes.
Why Should You Try Fishing?
The main benefit of fishing is that it gets you into the great outdoors. Britain is beautiful, and few places are as stunning as its coasts and rivers. If you can find spots close to your house, then take a walk to them and benefit from a much-needed boost of exercise. In addition, the casting off, reeling in and carrying equipment all give your muscles a workout.
Don’t be afraid to ask friends to join you, either. With a flask of tea in hand and a small seat, you can perch by the riverbank and put the world to rights. Getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city or work life will help clear your head.
How to Get Started
The Angling Trust has a campaign to get more people into the pursuit, titled ‘Get Fishing’. All you need is a basic family-friendly fishing kit, and they will explain the rest. Most of the sessions that are on around the country are either free or extremely low-cost.
If you do want to try it alone, then you will need a rod licence. These are easy to purchase online, and cost as little as £6 for one day. There are helpful finders online that just require your postcode, and which will show you some great fishing spots nearby. Once you have these, get a packed lunch, pull on your wellington boots and head out to do some fishing.
Thank you for reading.
