We are Hiring!

GHOF Project Manager Post Available

• GHOF Project Manager - Ealing, London
• Social Enterprise Angling Centre (SEAC)
• Full Time Contract - flexible working hours
• Salary is £21K - £25K per annum, depending on experience
• The post is available with immediate effect
• It will be based at the GHOF SEAC at Northala Fields, Northolt, UB5 6UR.

GHOF is seeking to appoint an enthusiastic, dynamic and energetic person who is a facilitator and can engage effectively with the local and wider Ealing community; a promotor who will develop both the core and wider opportunities synonymous with Get Hooked on Fishing and a visionary with the ability to embrace the social and community benefits of angling in innovative ways.

The successful candidate will receive support and guidance during the establishment and development of the SEAC which will lead to its independence. GHOF will also provide access to national networks for funding, information, training and development; a high quality venue with first class facilities for the development of this SEAC. We will also provide the opportunity to develop a totally unique and world class angling project.

You can download an application form for the post and a job description here.

The closing date for applications is Friday 25th May 2012 and for an informal discussion regarding the post, please ring Sarah Collins, GHOF Social Enterprise Director on 07525255572 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Mark Jones Memorial Tournament

Mark Jones Memorial Fishing Tournament - 27th, 28th & 29th April 2012.  

In 2010, Mark Jones lost his life to drugs.  He was just 34.

Mark was a very keen angler, a "wizard of the fishing rod," so this tournament is a tribute to Mark's life and a way to celebrate his memory.  

So GHOF is hosting a fishing tournament at the Commonwood Fishery, Holt, Wrexham.  The event starts with the National Get Hooked on Fishing Competition on the 27th of April from 9am - 4pm.  The Mark Jones Open Tournament runs on the 28th and 29th of April from 9am - 4pm.

To find out more  click here....  

GHOF Pro-Am Fishing Match

A first for Get Hooked on Fishing!

Saturday 25th August 2012 will see a historic event taking place at the renowned Glebe Fishery.

Each team of anglers will be made up of two GHOF young people; two privileged anglers and a well-known, professional angler from the world of National match competition. This action-packed event will see youngsters and pleasure anglers competing against and being coached by some of our top names from match angling and will provide much needed tackle and as well as funds for our GHOF Projects around the UK.

Watch this space to find out more about how YOU can join in the fun and games at The Glebe in August!

GHOF Launches Angling In A Box

Angling In A Box

GHOF is proud to announce 'Angling in a Box,' a highly effective programme of personal development designed to give all GHOF participants, especially those in need of further support, the skills and confidence to make positive life choices.  This unique and innovative package allows the successful angling themed programmes developed by Get Hooked on Fishing to be delivered anywhere in the UK.  To learn more about Angling in a Box, the benefits, Modules etc, please click here to download the full report.

GHOF Easington - Dec 2011

Get hooked on Fishing Easington have managed to acquire funding to get together local people and establish an angling club to be based at Herrington Country Park.  This project, however, involves a lot more than creating an angling club.  The goal is to raise environmental awareness to the people of Herrington, and in the process, try to clean up the lake and surrounding area to ensure the club will be run from a healthy environment and continue to stay that way.

The club will contain both an adult section (18yrs and over) and a junior section (under 18s). Darren held a couple of meetings in November where the discussion was based on what would be involved and also looked for committee members, volunteers and participants to get involved running the club. This funding was received from the local Environmental Action Fund via the Community Founation.

GHOF BOLTON - Latest 2011 News

The five weeks of the summer holidays were the busiest we have ever been. We ran ‘Summer Camps’ funded by Bolton Council which were a huge success – 111 young people completed 12 hours of coaching each and all went away happy at the end with a starter kit to keep. We also worked with Castle Hill Youth Club and Community Sports Development groups throughout the summer which I reckon has bumped our numbers up to 140+ in those five weeks.

I managed a week long residential up at Witton Park with four of my peer mentors. Mick and the team made us all feel really welcome and looked after us very well. I was chuffed to get such positive comments from the Witton Park crowd about my lads and it was a pleasure to spend a week with everyone involved. This picture is my favourite from the residential:

The trip to The Glebe was also a great couple of days. It was nice to see so many young people getting on together and a fantastic opportunity for all the schemes to get together like that. My lads were talking about it for ages afterwards, re-telling stories to their friends and the coaches back in Bolton.

Since the schools have gone back we are keeping busy delivering alternative education sessions for local schools and education agencies and we are busier than I thought we were going to be.

Our ‘Tin Hut’ has arrived (See the image below).  I’ll keep you all posted as to how we get on with it. I may be contacting you to see if there is anything you may have to help us kit it out with. I’ve already got a kettle – no more filling flasks – Hooray!!

I gave a talk to The Rotary Club in Manchester on 20th October and they presented me with a cheque for £500 for the Bolton scheme. They made me feel really welcome and were genuinely interested in the work we do with young people. There are also plans in the pipeline for them to help with fundraising events in the future – watch this space!

I had a great couple of days with the gang at The Tackle & Guns Show. It was nice to see everyone suited and booted for the Gala Dinner – well done to Mick for delivering such a passionate speech about GHOF.

Thanks to Dave Verburg for helping me to get my Views stuff up to date – it’s been a massive help to have someone upload the back log of contacts. I have done hours of work on it as well and I now feel there is light at the end of the tunnel.

GHOF Bolton - 2011 News

We’ve been mega busy up here in Bolton with groups from Bolton St. Catherine’s Academy (seniors & primary sites), Turton High School, Thornleigh Salesian College, The Engagement Centre, Westhoughton Roots Project, Castle Hill Youth Club & Little Lever School. The fishing at Bradshaw has been very good and we’ve had some brilliant weather to help the t-shirt tans along!

Last Wednesday we were fishing on Lake 4 with a group from  Bolton St. Catherine’s Academy, using a variety of methods. One young man (Connor) turned round to get a sandwich and his 4m whip suddenly shot off the wall and into the lake, with what was obviously a large fish towing it quite easily past a group of 15 match anglers. John and I hotfooted it up the other bank, rods in hand and tried to cast over the line of the whip. John managed this on his third cast and started to reel in. I managed to get hold of the whip by having to lie on the bank to grab it in the water and miraculously the fish was still on the hook of the whip. The lads netted it – a nice 6lb Mirror Carp and we managed to get all our kit back, not even a knotted line – Result! It’s the only fish I’ve ever known that was landed 50 yards from where it was hooked!

Hopefully ‘The Tin Hut’ should be arriving within the next month. The owners of Bradshaw have agreed to let me keep a container on site to use as a classroom/office. My plan is to have the Grand Opening during the GHOF Week!

Hope everyone is ok and looking forward to a fun packed summer.

Bridget Dawson

GHOF Merseyside - 2011 News

Get Hooked on Fishing North Liverpool ran a series of taster days were run in the local park during the school holidays. A storming success, over 70 disabled and non disabled young people had a great time and caught loads of fish.

We also took a group of young people on a residential trip to White Acres fishery and Holiday Park near Newquay Cornwall.

The young people who earned the trip through volunteering on events, their contribution to the scheme and performance in school were tasked with all the domestic chores while the coaches cooked and educated them in food preparation.

The week was great the weather was reasonably kind and the group had some great fishing both on the fishery and off site at a local lake. It was personal bests all round with carp climbing up the rods. After a few days pointers and tuition the group on their last day caught over 60 carp up to a whooping 17lb, it was most definitely the fishing day of a lifetime.

During the week the young people learned the benefits of patience, organisation and demonstrated great focus and attitude. On the long journeys they conducted themselves exceptionally. Our star performer was our most recent introduction to the team BJ who as a Level 2 angling coach was on his first residential. BJ his performance was excellent.

This group was developed by BJ and they showed the quality of his work by their performance on the trip.

GHOF NE Lincs - 2011 NEWS

Get Hooked on Positive Activities (GHoF N E Lincs) attended an exhibition at St James Church of Grimsby in North East Lincolnshire. The multi agency exhibition was aimed at the socially deprived long term unemployed.

Get Hooked on Positive Activities team engaged with many people throughout the day. The GHOF promotional film and slideshow of photographs were played throughout the day for the public and support agencies to see which attracted a great deal of interest.

The project also used the event to showcase the projects new “Olympic themed” Biathlon laser target shooting equipment. Young, old and disabled visitors had a chance to use the equipment and interest and competition was intense throughout the day. As a result of the project received a few invaluable bookings with local schools and agencies.

Manchester Conference - 2012

Carp Fishing Reels Website Praises GHOF - January 2011

At GHOF, we are focused on making a difference in young people's lives by introducing angling skills as a diversionary activity. Going beyond angling, we also see it as a powerful opportunity to equip young people with essential personal, social and life-skills for todays ever changing, and dynamic environment. So it is always refreshing when you receive recognition for your work which reinforces the purpose and worthiness of what we do and believe in! Reading what Carp Fishing Reels say about our work also makes you realise that its not just us that care, but a whole 'fishing community'. Read more...

Sky Sports ‘Tight Lines’ visits Get Hooked on Fishing, Border

Tight Lines programme on June 11th included some footage of their visit to GHOF Border, based at Border Fishery.

Visit www.skysports.com/video to find out more.

Go Fishing Show: 17-18th July 2010

Get Hooked On Fishing is participating in the Go Fishing Show and Sky Sports Fishomania on the weekend of 17-18th July, at Cudmore Fishery, Staffordshire.

There’s a strong focus on introducing new people to angling and visitors who want to try their hand will be able to do so. Young people can get professional angling tuition and meet some top anglers. TV legends John Wilson, Matt Hayes and Mick Brown will be on hand to pass on tips and advice as will stars from the carp and match fishing worlds.

Many major angling companies will be at the Show and will be only to pleased to assist with tackle-related questions. But the best news of all is that on the Sunday, for all young people under the age of 16, entry to the show is FREE. However, entry tickets, though free, must be booked in advance through the website - www.gofishingshow.com

Any young people from Get Hooked on Fishing schemes at the show should look up Karl Humphries, Dave Smith or Mandy Smith. They will be involved in the delivery of ‘taster sessions’ and will also be happy to help with the hunt for autographs, pictures and advice from the ‘big names’ – some of whom are doing guest coaching spots at the Get Hooked Coaching Area.

During the weekend, John Wilson will be officially opening the new National School of Angling, based at Cudmore.

GHOF scheme coordinators should contact Dave Smith for more information or to arrange bookings and guided tours for their parties. For general information about the Show and how to book advance tickets visit www.gofishingshow.com

Prince Charles casts off with Get Hooked on Fishing Teesside

Hemlington Lake, Middlesbrough, is a regular venue for GHOF Teesside and the young people were delighted when the Prince of Wales stopped off to chat with them on his recent tour of the park. The lake is part of a 39-acre park hidden in the middle of a large housing estate and has been regenerated by the Clean Beck Campaign to become a haven for local families.

A keen game angler, Prince Charles tried coarse fishing with a rod borrowed from Paige Wardell, thirteen, a GHOF peer mentor. Project co-ordinator, Dave Munt said, “ He said it had been a lot time since he had done this, but he was a bit of a natural. He was very interested in the style of angling Paige was using and asked if he could reel the line in, which he did. It was feeder fishing with groundbait, something he had not come across before. Paige went through the procedure of filling the feeder and putting fresh bait on the line (maggots). Paige asked if he would like to cast the feeder out and he duly obliged, to the delight of the other young people, local children and families and the press”.

Prince Charles also talked to Liam and Hannah McCabe who have learnt to fish with GHOF and are now able to enjoy the sport close to home.