With more people going fishing for the first time or returning to the sport after lockdown restrictions on angling were lifted in the UK, the Angling Trade Association’s (ATA) 2020 Take A Friend Fishing initiative is going from strength to strength. The first two-week window of 2020 proved to be a big success, engaging more new anglers than any previous running, and the ATA, Environment Agency (EA) and Angling Trust (AT) are now preparing for the second phase, which will run from August 14th to October 4th. This will give EA rod fishing licence holding anglers the opportunity to register for a free one-day fishing licence, worth £6, to take someone they know fishing. The EA funds the AT to provide more opportunities for people to go fishing and encourage sales of fishing rod licences. Money from licence sales is spent on improving fisheries habitat and angling infrastructure through projects like the Angling Improvement Fund. Jamie Cook, CEO of the AT, said: “We need to seize this opportunity, which allows both experienced and new anglers as well as those returning to the sport, the opportunity to share the experience.” With licence sales booming following angling restrictions being lifted, now is the ideal time for the angling community to come together and help to increase participation in the sport. Andrew Race, who recently took over as chairman of the ATA said: “The decision by the EA to extend the Take a Friend Fishing initiative cannot be underestimated. It reflects the cooperative potential and commitment to angling that now exists between the major stakeholders.” From the angling trade, Ali Hamidi of Korda/Guru said: “It is our responsibility as anglers across the UK to show the splendour of our beloved pastime to friends and family who have never been lucky enough to enjoy this amazing hobby.” While Mat Woods, brand manager at Korum added: “Anglers are fishing more often, lapsed anglers are returning, and the wave of new anglers is exciting and momentous.” To get a free one-day fishing licence to Take a Friend Fishing, fishing licence holding anglers just need to go to the website and provide some simple contact details including their fishing licence number and the date of the fishing trip. This will notify their friend who, after checking their details are correct, will be able to go fishing with the fishing licence holder, on the selected day using their own free one-day fishing licence. www.takeafriendfishing.co.uk...