YOUR FIRST SESSION

This page tells you what happens at a First Time Fishing session, in order. We wrote it to be literal. Sessions follow this plan, and if anything on the day is different, your coach says so before it happens.

WHO YOU WILL MEET

A coach and a young angler sitting side by side at the water, both looking at the float

One coach. We confirm your coach's name and the exact meeting place by email before the day. A parent or carer stays with you. If you are under 13 they stay for the whole session; that is our rule. If you are 13 or over they can leave if that was agreed at booking, or stay. Staying is always fine. Nobody else joins your session. Other anglers may be fishing elsewhere on the water.

WHAT HAPPENS, IN ORDER

  1. You arrive at the pond. Your peg, which is your fishing spot, is already set up.
  2. Your coach says hello and shows you the kit.
  3. Your coach shows you how to cast. You try when you are ready.
  4. You fish. Your coach helps as much or as little as you want.
  5. If you catch a fish, your coach helps unhook it and put it back. You do not have to touch the fish.
  6. You pack down together and finish on time.

THINGS TO KNOW

Maggots move. You never have to touch them, and your coach can bait the hook every time. Fish are wet and they wriggle. Touching a fish is always optional. Fishing has quiet stretches where nothing happens; that is normal and part of it. We fish in light rain. In bad weather we cancel and tell you as soon as we decide, usually the day before. Photos are only taken if you said yes at booking. You can say no at any time.

WHAT IS FINE

Ear defenders are fine. A hood up is fine. Breaks are fine, whenever, as many as you need. Stopping early is fine. Not talking is fine; you can point, write or show instead. Bringing a comfort item is fine. Your coach will never comment.

TELL US WHAT HELPS

Fill this in and your coach reads it before the session, every time. Your coach uses what you write to plan the day.

What you write here goes to your coach and is used only to plan the session. It is handled under our Privacy Policy. You can ask for it to be deleted, subject to our legal retention requirements.

Questions before the day? Email info@schooloffish.co.uk and ask anything at all.