#ThisGirlCan YOUR stories and photos.
- Get Hooked on Fishing
- Nov 1, 2018
- 8 min read
Updated: Nov 21, 2018
We thought it would be great, to get all your stories and photos in one place. If you missed the posts on social media, don't worry because they're all below! Why not take a read below...
“I’ve fished since I was 5 or 6 years old so can’t really remember what my life was like before I started joining my Grandad on the bank. I do remember that the time spent fishing with him was quality time and made us closer. Now as a coach, I see families come fishing and see them spending that same quality time together and how much they enjoy it.
Personally, I used to go fishing and love the time for myself and my thoughts. This has changed since becoming a coach and now I find that I’ve got used to the chat and banter on the bank with fellow coaches, Peer Mentors, and staff. That is what brings groups and the young people we work with together. I now prefer to go fishing with others and enjoy their company. Although it is seen as a male dominated sport, I can honestly say that I’ve never experienced anything negative from anyone in the angling world and I would recommend other females to get out on the bank and give it a go.” – BRIDGET DAWSON (Get Hooked on Fishing – North West - Project Manager)
“Fishing can be a great way to switch off from the daily stress and pressure life can bring. A chance to be mindful and just take in ‘the moment’, the beautiful scenery, the sounds of nature, water flowing, birds singing, clouds floating along the sky. Taking just a few short moments to appreciate these things can be very therapeutic.I enjoy the competitive element of fishing as well, so around 10 years ago I joined a club to go match fishing. I compete at least once a week and have formed many new friendships; through this I’ve formed a ladies club. I discovered a new-found confidence in myself through both fishing and coaching and went on to lift the title of Scottish ladies National Champion twice (so far). I’ve also had the great honour of representing my country 4 times at international level which has been the highlight of my fishing career.” – HEATHER LAURISTON (Get Hooked on Fishing – Scotland – Project Manager)
“My boyfriend introduced me to the world of fishing. Match fishing in particular. I was a spectator of the sport for around 6 months before I picked up a pole and tried it for myself. Even just being out on the bank watching him fish was so calming and relaxing. Since then I have tried my hand at fishing, and when I’m sitting on the box nothing else matters. Everything is forgotten and all you think about is the next bite. I have struggled with anxiety quite badly and there is something beautiful about putting the phone away and forgetting the world for a day while you sit on the bank. I fished my first match a few weeks ago on a Women’s Open Match at partridge lakes fishery. So nice seeing so many women out there doing it for themselves. It is such a male dominated sport and I love bumping into like-minded ladies. I’ve developed a new appreciation for the outdoors and this beautiful world we live in. I never thought I’d say a fish was beautiful, but I have well and truly come across some beautiful creatures on the bank. I’ve surprised even myself. The most therapeutic sport going!” – AMELIA TAVERNA
"Kayla has been fishing with me since she was 5 her first fish was a dogfish and that was her hooked she loves fishing matches that she has had some good results from beating some of the seniors along the way 🙂 she enjoys bait collecting and rig making she is the youngest member of the junior Scotland team hoping to follow her father's footsteps on the international match scene she enjoys fishing from the rocks or on the beach as long as she’s catching she’s a happy girl 🙂" Sent by Bryon Dickson, Kayla's dad. #ThisGirlCan #GetFishing #supportGHoF
"I got my wife involved in fishing, which then sparked the interest from my daughter and granddaughters!" - images sent in by MICK ELLAMS Pictures feature: Wife Lynne Ellams My daughter Victoria Hassall My granddaughter's Nevaeh Hassall 5 and Holly Ellams 3 #ThisGirlCan #GetFishing #supportGHoF
“Before getting involved I always thought that fishing was both very technical and male-dominated. However, I was soon pleasantly surprised to find out how inclusive, supportive and welcoming the fishing community is. That gave me the confidence to give it a go and I now love our fishing family adventures when I join in and not just spectate. Our fishing adventures really help me to get a good work/life balance and help make sure I get quality time with our boys! I stick to the principles of iFish, not iPad’s!We set up Fishing Family UK about two years ago to share pictures and videos from our fishing adventures, to inspire other families to fish. We really enjoy sharing our enthusiasm and providing help and advice to others.We’re active on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Wild Society and Fishbrain so whichever social media people prefer it’s easy to follow our adventures…
Here’s a picture of my first perch. I had to overcome my fear of holding it because I’m actually allergic to fish! #ThisGirlCan #takeyourkidsfishing #makeitfun #feelthefearanddoitanyway” #supportGHoF @fishingfamilyuk - MEGAN COOPER
"I got into the sport via my dad and stepdad as a child at around 8/9. However, I drifted and lost interest as a teenager and recently got back in touch with fishing just a couple of years ago with my local angling association. I received a great amount of support and guidance on the sport and finished 2nd in their ladies championships last year. I've become a fan of match fishing, it's so rewarding and there is so much to learn. There are so many great people who I have met along the way to share knowledge and have some banter with. It's done wonders for my self-confidence and anxiety this past year, it's so relaxing being outdoors and being at one with nature.There is so much to be gained from fishing, I love it and I hope my children take an interest in the sport. Get your rod and get out there ladies! 😁🎣" - EMMA HARRISON #ThisGirlCan #GetFishing#supportGHoF
"I've had a personal ambition for many years to help more women and girls of all ages try fishing and access the benefits. As a UK-wide charity, we have hundreds of case studies which demonstrate how going fishing improves confidence and self-esteem and helps people to become more socially and physically active!"
For the last 6 years, we've run our 'Family Fishing' campaign in partnership with the Angling Trust and with the support of the Environment Agency. These free community days are as popular with women and girls as they are with men and boys. Demonstrating how simple, fun and affordable going fishing can be has helped families become active, or more active, together.
On many occasions, we've witnessed women and girls accompanying other family members as bystanders but within a short time, they couldn't resist having a go themselves and, before you know it, they're 'hooked'!' #ThisGirlCan #GetFishing #supportGHoF - SARAH COLLINS
"Fishing for me initially became an escape from the domestic abuse at home. The River became a hiding place. She then became a place to heal after a traumatic breakup and the loss of my most precious friend in the whole Universe. I need not hide anymore but, I love nothing better than having a whole stretch of River all to myself. Well, me, the Kingfishers, the Heron and the fish of course. There is nothing more magical than landing (and kissing) a Grayling (My most favourite fish). A feisty Lady of the Stream. The first fish I caught (all on my own) on the River Wear. A Grayling tattoo on my finger is a reminder to stay strong. I set up a 'Flyfishing with the Fairy' page on Facebook. That's me, a lost Fairy with a broken heart and pulled off wings. This is my story and my page is a record of my River antics as I learn to Fly Fish and grow my wings again. Fishing is not just about kissing fish, for me, it's a journey into a parallel universe. I have still so much to learn. So much to see. So many fish to kiss. I love Fly Fishing. I love being in the River and I love Grayling. Fishing really has helped me. My motto 'Fishing is Fun' even when you're tangled and you've just missed your eyeball with your wonky back cast. 🎣🐟😍" - PAULA ALLAM (the Fly Fishing fairy) #ThisGirlCan#GetFishing #supportGHoF
There is no one reason why I love fishing, there are numerous reasons for starting….. And even more reasons for why I continue. So I suppose the best place to start would be to write about it…. I love fishing because….
> You can fish to compete – but it’s always just about you.
> You may fish against others but you always fish as a group.
> You may fish to get away from it all but you are bombarded by the options to try.
> I don’t particularly like crowds but you can’t beat the bustle of the draw.
>I can’t sit still for 5 minutes but I can fish a 6 hour match….
I started out as being the driver of Phil (other half) to the lakes or helping to wheel his stuff strapped to our bicycles to the Thames. Overnight camping and early starts. I sat and read, and wandered about for a while but thought, why don’t I have a go. Phil showed me how to catch some silver fish on a top kit (top section of a fishing pole) at Bury Hill fishery. A very patient teacher. I was transfixed and wanted to know more. We gradually moved onto a closed front rod and reel (old fashioned reel – should be seen on the antiques roadshow now!!!) for the carp where we needed to cast further out (this reel he had looked after and kept since the start of secondary school – he was at this time in his 30’s). And to this day I still can’t believe that a few years later I was able to tell the story of accidentally dropping the front of that reel into the water to the very person that designed it!! – Darren Cox!!
We then moved onto signing up with a local club – trying a few things out, getting more self-sufficient and then I was introduced to the club matches, as confidence grew I went into other matches and now I’m happy to fish any match. There is nothing like it. Breakfast and banter. The ones that got away. Silly things that happen and of course the winning envelopes. And of course Après fishing is most definitely a sport in itself.
I say to myself must concentrate more on the fish and less on the deer, dragonflies, kingfishers etc. but what would be the fun in that. No one does really does it for the money, most people have day jobs – I currently have an origami fish I made on my desk at work, I use names of different species of fish to organise data…..consultants I work with sign off emails with ‘tight lines’.
It’s a sport where you are challenged – not always the weight of the stuff you take but the people you fish with. In the past some guys have assumed that as I am a girl that’s easy points – but it wasn’t easy for them. The same goes for me in that I though there is an old guy, should be ok – and then discovered first hand why they were good enough to fish the very top leagues. Top tip: Never assume.
I still can’t decide on what’s the most exciting for me, is the tip of the rod going round? Is it the scream of the clutch on the reel? or is it the elastic stretching out on the pole? All of these make me smile. So at this moment in time it’s got to be all three!!!
All I can say is it’s a reason to travel and a reason to explore. We have met so many people on our travels and we always bump into people we have fished with before. You might not see them week in a week out, monthly, yearly or even longer – but you just start off where you left off last time. We all belong in this sport.
So fishing doesn’t have to be male dominated, and it shouldn’t be female dominated either. If you like fishing just go fishing. If you don’t know yet, just give it a go…. - CLAIRE HOLLIS
Thank you to everyone who got involved in the #ThisGirlCan campaign! We're so grateful to everyone who wanted to share their story! #GetFishing #supportGHoF - Read below, all the benefits #angling can have on your life!
Get Hooked on Fishing x
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