The Northern Angling Social event, which was held at Diecast in Manchester, ended up being a huge success. It was held on the 24th of January, with the event proving that the UK fishing boom isn’t just localised to rural areas, but also to big cities like Manchester.
Driving Factors Behind Manchester’s Love for Fishing
Numerous factors are driving interest in UK fishing, including social media. Social media has made it easier for people to find prime fishing spots, with real-time sharing on apps like Facebook. This has made it more convenient for people to find the fish they want in specific areas. TV shows like Ali Hamidi’s Grand Fishing Adventure have also helped to bring angling mainstream, helping to show different species of fish, where they dwell, and how to go about catching them. The show is incredibly successful and highlights the sport as being great for outdoor enthusiasts.
Games like Big Bass Floats My Boat Jackpot Bonanza have also helped fishing to stand out. Titles like this not only help to present fishing as an entertaining sport, but they also allow people to enjoy it in different ways. By using graphics that range from charismatic fishermen to bright fish, it’s possible to change the perspective of fishing as a whole, from being something only experienced anglers can take part in, to something that even non-fishing enthusiasts can enjoy.
Modern media, combined with tech advancements like GPS navigation, underwater cameras, and advanced sonar, have helped to make fishing not only easier but also more accessible to hobbyists.
With all of this in mind, it’s not hard to see why the Northern Angling Social event was such a success, and the choice of Manchester as the host was not accidental either.
The Greater Manchester area has quickly become one of the most diverse angling regions in the UK, with canals including Ashton, Rochdale, and Bridgewater being prime spots to catch pike and perch. The River Medlock and River Irwell are also prime spots to catch trout, with Salford Quays being suited to tench and large carp. You can find more fishing opportunities on the Fisheries website.
The Event Featured Some of the Biggest Personalities in Modern Fishing
The event featured some of the biggest personalities in modern fishing. Jeremy Wade from the show River Monsters made an appearance, as did Scott Lloyd, Frank Warwick, and Original Jonny Boy. With on-stage interviews, meet-and-greet opportunities, and plenty of fishing talk, the show did more than put a spotlight on fishing. It helped to create a community setting where fishing enthusiasts from across the country gathered. With Manchester being such a bustling hub anyway, the event was always going to be successful.
The event also hosted a live raffle, which saw £25,000+ worth of prizes given away, including a yacht trip to Montenegro and a guided lake fishing trip. Full-day fishing experiences with Alan Blair and Scott Lloyd were also handed out, along with private lake bookings at Willow Farm Fisheries.
As time goes on, unlikely regions like Manchester are being put on the map as being fishing hotspots, especially with membership to Salford Friendly Anglers being free, and offering access to waters across Salford and Prestwich.
With Manchester having plenty of urban canals, reservoirs, and lakes, it seems that the event has drawn more awareness to the city’s fishing scene, while encouraging locals to pick up a rod and have a go themselves.
