Will there be another fishing boom in 2021?
BACK in March 2020, the short-term future of the angling industry looked uncertain due to the fallout from the Covid pandemic.
But following a huge upturn in the sector’s fortunes, which saw rod licence sales soar, fisheries busier than ever and tackle and bait companies struggling to keep up with demand, many fishing-related businesses are now investing heavily to ride the wave of the boom well into 2021.
More and more families have come to realise that fishing is a sport that can be enjoyed by all ages and abilities
An additional 50,000 people bought a licence during October and November – traditionally a quiet period – and the swelling numbers on the bank haven’t gone unnoticed by shops and fisheries.
Howard Kaye, who runs the tackle shop at Manor Farm Leisure Fisheries, has just opened his second shop, Manor Angling Plus, in Evesham, and has plans for a third, larger store to open up later this month.
“The unexpected boom in business this year has certainly helped put us in a good place,” he said.
“Signs are really good for the future. I think a lot of the new people buying licences will keep fishing and we’ll hopefully continue to prosper. The third store, set to open later this month, is a larger enterprise out near Twyford Farm. We have exciting plans for that place, which I can’t reveal just yet!”
Howard Kaye – two shops and a third planned!
Over in Bicester, Oxfordshire, Tackle Tavern – in business for just three years – has gone from strength to strength.
“We’ve increased our stock-holding capacity, and boosted our online presence, which has helped us to have a lucrative year,” Matty Morrell, the owner, told us.
“Even during lockdown we used the downtime to develop our website, and already we’re seeing the benefits of that.”
Tackle Tavern has already moved and expanded three times.
“We’re always looking to grow,” Matty added.
“Moving to an even larger facility is always on the cards if the spike in demand continues.”
It’s not just tackle shops that are preparing for a big year in 2021. At Makins Fishery in Warwickshire, the work taking place is geared to improving accessibility for the new breed of beginner and junior anglers who have emerged during the boom.
“We want to make things as easy as possible for people visiting the fishery, particularly with so many newcomers getting into fishing last year,” said staff member Reece Woolley.
“New access roads, car parks and a driveway are all being installed to make things more practical and appealing to customers, and we’re also digging out the lakes and de-silting them to make the fishing even better!”
Work in progress at Makins Fishery to improve access for the new breed of beginners and improvers
He added:
“After such a productive summer in 2020, we’re getting ready to kick on and are expecting 2021 to be just as good, if not even better!”
Some of the growth in participation in 2020 can be attributed to fishing restarting quickly after the first national lockdown and continuing all the way through the second, when other sports and activities remained off limits.
Angling Trust boss Jamie Cook, who led the battle to keep us on the banks, thinks the future is continuing to look rosy.
“We’re really excited for this year,” he told us.
“Our priority will be to continue our fight to keep fishing legal and one of the few permitted sports if we’re hit with another lockdown, but aside from that we’ve got lots planned to keep new and returning anglers enjoying their fishing.
“Our Get Fishing and Let’s Fish Campaigns will hopefully continue to boost participation, and we’ve also got a few initiatives in the pipeline to support the infrastructure laid down this year.”
Angling Trust boss Jamie Cook has promised to keep fighting for anglers this year
In addition, Jamie hopes to improve the Trust’s engagement with existing anglers.
“I want us to be in better touch with the sea fishing community, as well as with match anglers. I’ve spoken to a lot of the latter, from grassroots to elite level, and while we’re doing well with our large competitions there are still some areas in which we can improve.
“Overall, it’s fantastic to see that the industry is thriving. Hopefully we can all make 2021 another year to remember.”