If you have The Angling Trust Cast Level Two award, you can automatically qualify for the Angler badge. If not, here’s what you need to do to earn this badge.
- Learn the water safety rules and the proper precautions to take when fishing from the bank, shore line, or from a boat.
- Learn the basic hygiene precautions to take when fishing.
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Go fishing at least four times in two different places. Make a note of:
- the number of fish you caught
- species and size of your fish
- your method, tackle and bait used
- the weather and water conditions.
- Choose the correct equipment and method for where you plan to fish.
- Learn to assemble a rod, reel or pole.
- Choose the right form of bait, lure or fly for your planned fishing activity.
- Show you can cast correctly and accurately into a target area a suitable distance away, depending on the equipment you are using.
- Tie at least three different knots for your chosen method of fishing.
- Show how to correctly handle a fish, unhook it and return it into the water.
- Explain how different species of fish have different habitats. Talk about how this, and weather conditions, can affect your method of fishing.
If you’re 13 or older, you’ll need a rod license to fish salmon, trout, freshwater fish, smelt and eels with a rod and line in England, Wales or the Border Esk region of Scotland. Find out more on the UK Government website at gov.uk/fishing-licences
Top tips
Number 7 mentions "casting from a suitable distance". Heres what we mean
- If you're using beach fishing tackle, cast from 45 metres.
- For ledger and float tackle, cast into a 1-metre circle at least three times out of six, at a distance of 9 metres.
- For trout fly on a fly line, cast into a 3 metre circle at least three times out of eight at a distance of 11 metres