{"id":1690,"date":"2026-09-24T11:53:21","date_gmt":"2026-09-24T11:53:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/justrelaxstore.com\/trying-angling-as-a-slow-screen-free-hobby-what-the-angling-trust-and-canal-river-trust-say-and-the-rod-licence-rules-england-and-wales\/"},"modified":"2026-09-24T11:53:21","modified_gmt":"2026-09-24T11:53:21","slug":"trying-angling-as-a-slow-screen-free-hobby-what-the-angling-trust-and-canal-river-trust-say-and-the-rod-licence-rules-england-and-wales","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/justrelaxstore.com\/fr\/trying-angling-as-a-slow-screen-free-hobby-what-the-angling-trust-and-canal-river-trust-say-and-the-rod-licence-rules-england-and-wales\/","title":{"rendered":"Trying Angling as a Slow, Screen-Free Hobby: What the Angling Trust and Canal & River Trust Say, and the Rod Licence Rules (England and Wales)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fishing is one of the slowest hobbies there is: choose a spot, cast, and wait. For some people that pace is the appeal, a reason to sit by the water and put screens aside for an afternoon. This article summarises what the Angling Trust and the Canal & River Trust say about angling as a relaxing pastime, and sets out the practical rules that GOV.UK gives for anyone in England and Wales who wants to try it. It is general information, not health advice, and the wellbeing points are the organisations’ own descriptions rather than study findings. Scotland and Northern Ireland have different rules, which are not covered here.<\/p>\n

Why people describe angling as restful<\/h2>\n

The Angling Trust says on its wellbeing page that angling offers the chance to escape the demands of a busy work and home life by being in nature and wildlife away from technology. It describes angling as a pastime that gives the mind a chance to rest and reset, and one that can be meditative, often happening in places where nature is very evident. It also says that anyone who has been fishing will know how beneficial angling is for wellbeing.<\/p>\n

The Canal & River Trust’s page on the benefits of fishing, last edited on 18 February 2025, makes a similar case in a lighter tone. It says fishing lets people unplug: many anglers fish at weekends or after work along canals, and the Trust invites them to leave computers, emails and games consoles behind and let their eyes rest on the water. It adds that joining an angling club makes a person part of a community, with as much or as little involvement as they choose, and that fishing is about personal goals, a lifelong skill that can be enjoyed at any age and shared with family.<\/p>\n

Trying it first at a Get Fishing event<\/h2>\n

The Angling Trust runs a campaign called Get Fishing, which it describes as aiming to get more people fishing more often, and says it runs hundreds of events each year for all ages and abilities. Its beginner sessions are described as free or low-cost, where a person can turn up and fish without their own tackle or bait, which the event organiser provides on the day. Its Get Into Fishing page covers three main types: freshwater coarse fishing in rivers, lakes or canals, freshwater game fishing for species such as trout or salmon, and sea fishing.<\/p>\n

The Trust also lists Get Fishing for Wellbeing approved delivery partners, which it describes as quality-assured organisations that it champions to health service professionals and social prescribing link workers. It explains social prescribing, citing the National Academy for Social Prescribing, as connecting people through link workers based in GP practices to practical and emotional community support, and it names angling among the pastimes that can be included, alongside volunteering, arts activities, gardening and others. Anyone considering angling for a wellbeing purpose can look at the approved list on its site, and any health concern should be raised with a GP.<\/p>\n

The rod licence rules in England and Wales<\/h2>\n

GOV.UK says a rod fishing licence for England and Wales is required for fishing for salmon, trout, freshwater fish, smelt or eel with a rod and line in England (except the River Tweed), in Wales and in the Border Esk region, including the parts of that river in Scotland. This includes fishing on private land such as angling club waters or private fishing lakes. A person who cannot show a valid licence when asked can be fined up to £2,500. GOV.UK adds that national and local rod fishing byelaws must be followed, that there may be extra rules in some areas, and that the landowner should be checked with.<\/p>\n

Three groups are treated differently, according to GOV.UK:<\/p>\n