Getting Hooked on Fishing

The British Disabled Angling Association is dedicated to making angling across the UK more accessible and to encourage disabled people to get involved and try the sport.

Little Fishers is a BDAA project dedicated to offering children over the age of eight, with a range of physical and mental disabilities, the chance to take part in supervised fishing sessions so they can experience the sport.

Laura from the BDAA said: “Many children, because of mobility restrictions, do not get to take part in sport. But by having wheelchair accessible platforms and all-weather paths it comes within their reach.

“We offer training on how to cast and provide equipment to suit younger anglers and training also for adults who may not fish but want to accompany their child. We have one young boy who now comes with his granddad. It is an outdoor activity they can enjoy together.”

The Little Fishers project is also helping children with special educational needs with many specialist schools taking part in weekly or fortnightly visits.

Laura explained: “We have wonderful facilities at Ladybower Reservoir in the Peak District with a pontoon in the middle of the water and accessible fishing boats with hoists to get children on board. There are also changing facilities and toilets and a classroom for lessons.

“We have introduced 1500 children and young people to fishing in the last four years.

“We are also increasingly seeing children with mental or sensory issues benefit hugely from spending time on or by the water. Being out in the fresh air in a calm and serene environment helps them enormously.

“We are often at capacity and would love to replicate the provision that we have at Ladybower at reservoirs and large fishing lakes across the country.

“There is a growing interest in the Little Fishers project and we are hugely grateful to the donation from the Wain Foundation which will help us continue and expand our work.”

https://bdaa.co.uk/