Get into Fishing hailed as “triumphant return for angling”

The Get Into Fishing (GIF) initiative launched at the recent Game Fair by the UK’s Angling Trades Association (ATA) has been hailed as a “triumphant return for angling.”

Backed by ATA member brands, GIF2023, showcased the benefits of angling over three days at Ragley Hall in Warwickshire, benefiting from the 120,000 people attending the annual country sports event.

After a steady decline over the past few years, the fishing section of the Game Fair was given a huge boost by a full programme of events, celebrities and coaching facilities. Visitors could also buy tackle at the show, with stand numbers increased from a handful last year to more than 30 this year.

The ATA reported that visitor numbers increased massively and the talk among exhibitors was of bigger stands at Blenheim, Oxfordshire – the venue for the 2024 Game Fair.

Tuition on the banks of Ragley Hall Lake was provided by the Canal & River Trust and AAPGAI coaches, backed up by a series of talks and demonstrations in the Landing Stage Theatre and on lakeside pontoons.

“GIF2023 has achieved the biggest angling footprint  at the Game Fair for many years. We are already planning to increase the size of the event next year,” said ATA Chairman, Andrew Race.

“GIF provided the opportunity for many non anglers to try their hand at fishing for the first time and buy the tackle they needed to start their journey. With trade support, GIF has every chance to grow dramatically over the next few years and become the biggest angling-related event in the UK.”

Tuition on the banks of Ragley Hall Lake was provided by the Canal & River Trust and qualified coaches, backed up by a series of talks and demonstrations in the Landing Stage Theatre and on lakeside pontoons.