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The Angling Trades Association (ATA), the official voice of the UK tackle trade, is set to launch a major initiative at The Game Fairs in England, Scotland and Wales to get more people fishing.

Get Into Fishing (GIF) at The Game Fair will see top angling brands join forces with key organisations to give people the chance to catch their first fish, find out what swims in our waters, learn to cast, see – and buy – all the latest tackle.

Set beside a beautiful estate lake and covering all disciplines – game, coarse and carp, predator, and sea fishing – GIF will include a range of features from fun kids’ activities to demonstrations from experts and competitions, introducing the joys of angling, to all age levels and abilities with meet and greets, Q&As with celebrity anglers and much more…

The Angling Trades Association’s Get Into Fishing initiative is being launched at The Game Fair held at Ragley Hall, Warwickshire, England, from July 28th to 30th, and will offer something for everyone, whether you are an experienced angler or you simply want to learn more about the biggest participation pastime in the country.

Coaches from the Canal and River Trust and AAPGAI’s experienced instructors will help you catch your first fish or cast your first fly on the lake. Visitors will be able to get up close to some of our native fish species in the Environment Agency fish tank, listen to talks in the Landing Stage theatre and watch angling demonstrations beside the lake.

Children under eight go free and there’s free parking too, while Environment Agency rod licence holders can claim £5 off their ticket. Tickets will also offer visitors specially negotiated discounts on many items including fishing tackle for sale at the event.

Brands including Okuma, Rapala, Dynamite Baits, Sufix, Reuben Heaton, Eagle Claw, Fortis Eyewear, Dinsmore and many others will be showing off their latest gear and giving you the chance to try it out.

Freshwater predator and sea fishing boats will be on display for visitors to marvel at with qualified angling guides on hand to discuss boat fishing and where to go for that first fishing trip afloat.

Visitors will also be able to see how angling and conservation go hand in hand and learn about a host of environmental schemes supported by angling, that help to clean up our waterways.

ATA chairman Andrew Race said: “We are delighted to be launching Get Into Fishing 2023 at The Game Fair. Ragley is a fantastic venue with a big attendance, and we are looking forward to introducing many more people fishing as well as engaging with those who have fished before”. “We know more and more people want to start fishing – the have-a-go area on the lake is booked solid every year – but many don’t know where to begin. GIF is a different approach to engagement and tailor made to involve people of all ages and abilities with angling.”

“Every year ATA runs National Fishing Month, a celebration of angling which, this year, will also use The Game Fair as its launch event. NFM sees thousands of newcomers try angling at events throughout August, but demand for information can often outstrip supply and that is where GIF comes in.

“GIF is focused solely on ease of access to and information about angling with the angling trade actively encouraging people to pick up a rod for the first time or learn about the pastime they love. It will be such an exciting place to be.”

The Game Fair angling consultant John Hunter added: “This will be a very different event from anything that has been held here before – it will be busy, buzzing, and inspiring.

“The list of brands and names we will be announcing over the coming weeks is impressive to say the least. Get Into Fishing will provide the most comprehensive structure yet aimed at introducing new people to angling while also engaging those with some experience across all disciplines – there really will be something for everyone.”

To find out more, e-mail [email protected]