Trade fishing recruitment drive is back with two campaigns

Take a Friend Fishing (TAFF), the initiative to get more people fishing in the UK, is back with two campaigns for 2022.

Building on the success of previous years, the first TAFF is set for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Week from May 28th to June 5th. The second will take place from August 1st to August 30th.

For both events, existing licence holders can register for a free one-day fishing licence – usually worth £6 to £12 – from the Environment Agency to take someone they know fishing. To register for a free one day licence click here, select the date of your fishing trip and enter some basic information about you and your friend.

TAFF is an Angling Trades Association (ATA) initiative relaunched in 2020. More than 6,000 people took part in 2021 and this year’s campaign is aiming to attract even more participants.

“It is fantastic to see Take a Friend Fishing back for summer 2022 with a new look and even bigger programme,” said Andrew Race, Chairman of the ATA. “Both the Jubilee and summer holiday campaigns vastly increase the opportunities for anyone wanting to give angling a go.

“I ask both ATA members and the wider angling trade to get behind this nationwide initiative. We know the health benefits and relaxation that angling brings and, with recent world events, Take a Friend Fishing is an ideal solution.”

Heidi Stone, Fisheries Partnerships Manager for the Environment Agency, added: “The campaign is a great opportunity for those who haven’t fished in a while to link up with a friend and go fishing again. We also hope it will encourage new anglers to take up this wonderful sport. For our licenced anglers – what could be better than passing on their passion to someone else?”