Meet the dogs who love fishing!

It’s not only anglers who’ve been itching to get back on the bank – their four-legged friends have been panting for it too! As these heart-warming tales tell us...

Frankie - (Owner, Matt Fernandez, Southampton)

“Frankie walks the rivers with me while I work as a bailiff and has done so since she was four months old, so she’s used to being near water.
“She’s been out with me every time since we got the green light to go back out fishing and she was definitely as excited as I was!
“When I settle down on the bank, she watches the wildlife, but I always have one of her favourite toys with me to give her if she gets bored.
“She’ll happily chew and fetch it for hours.”

Frankie is always excited to go fishing!

Hobie (Owner, Richard Ward, Manchester)

“My little mate Hobie the Jack Russell growls when I catch a fish, so the other lads always know when I’m catching!”

Halle (Owner, John Jackson, Hampshire)

“I have my one-year-old Labrador, Halle, with me pretty much every day as part of my job as a river keeper on the River Test in Hampshire, so she was still able to go out during the lockdown and spend some time by the river.
“I’ve trained her so she won’t dive in and disturb the spot while I’m fishing, although being a Labrador she loves water. On a pre-lockdown session on the Kennet and Avon Canal, she sat patiently as I landed carp, roach, bream and this fine tench. She gave it a quick sniff and nose inspection before I put it back. When she saw it swim away, she looked keen to dive right in after it!”

Roxy, (Owner Colin Bernard, Fife)

“Roxy comes on most trips, whether it’s boat, bank or camping. She even collects firewood for us!”

Connor (Owner, Brian Kelley, Fife)

“This picture of my border collie Connor was taken at Loch Tummel in Perthshire, Scotland. The first few times I took him pike fishing he didn’t understand what was happening and would crash into my rods and set my alarms off. Nowadays, he’s a lot calmer. He never wants to leave at the end of a session and sometimes I have to physically lift him into the car!”

Evie & Archie (Owner, Chris Haydon, Devon)

“My partner's dogs Evie and Archie will sit patiently behind me and take it all in, but because they love a good swim I always have to keep them on the lead. A good thing about having dogs with you is that they are quick to spot other wildlife that you might be missing.”

Juno (Owner, Stephen Stones, Stamford)

“Whenever I go fishing overnight Juno, my eight-year old lurcher cross, comes with me. As we drive down to a lake near Cambridge, she starts whining because she’s so delighted. She knows that she’ll get a steady supply of sausage sandwiches and biscuits, and kip in my sleeping bag all weekend.
“Like all sight hounds, she hates the water and won’t go past her ankles. Whenever I use a marker or spod rod she goes nuts, yelping and spinning round on the spot with delight. Lord knows why!”

Juno isn’t a fan of water but loves sausage sandwiches

Harvey (Owner, Tom Jackson, Swindon)

“My old Labrador Harvey has gone fishing with me since he was a puppy, and is now 13 years old. We usually head for Hannington on the Thames where, when he was younger, he used to love going for a swim. Harvey and I are both looking forward to June 16 when we can get back to the tranquillity of the River Thames and sit peacefully together.”

Harvey is looking forward to the magical 16th of June!

Ted (Owner, Jim Evans, Doncaster)

“I reckon my boy Ted is only happy when he’s out on the bank. At four years old he’s the youngest of three golden retrievers I have and is a great companion. He loves coming fishing with me, whether it’s on the coast or to the banks of my local River Don.
“Since the restrictions were lifted we’ve enjoyed trips to the New Junction Canal, as well as a beach fishing trip.
“He’ll happily sit by my rods while I wait for a bite and will eat any bait the fish don’t want. If the bream aren’t on the corn, I know who will be!”

Ted is only happy when he is out on the bank