From classroom to lakeside: inspiring the next generation of Anglers in Essex

This summer we brought the joy of fishing to Thorpedene Primary School in Shoeburyness, thanks to the efforts of our local Fishing for Schools coach, Michael Salisbury.

Ten young students had the opportunity to swap screens for fishing rods at Shoebury Park Lake. Michael shares his excitement about introducing these young learners to the world of fishing and the lasting impact it had on them. From catching their first fish to sparking a newfound interest in the great outdoors, this initiative has left a lasting impression on the children of Shoeburyness. Here's what Michael had to say about the experience.

“As a resident of Shoeburyness, I was absolutely delighted when I was asked to run some Fishing for Schools sessions with the local primary school, Thorpedene. Whilst not being an area that suffers from anti-social behaviour on a large scale, Shoeburyness does have its issues, and the young people residing here will always benefit from opportunities to channel their energies into positive outdoor activities.

When it came to choosing a venue, it was only ever going to be one, and that's Shoebury Park Lake. Located in the heart of the community, it has been an established fishing venue since the 1960s, and was once the place to be for specimen carp in Essex. Although it doesn't hold the monster carp that it once did, it still provides excellent sport for pleasure and specimen anglers alike. 

The six sessions that I ran for Thorpedene were a roaring success. Most of the students had never fished before, but they took to it like the proverbial ducks to water. The fish action was steady throughout, with plenty of roach and rudd gracing the bank, along with the odd carp to add a bit of "wow" factor. It was also nice to see that the sessions were attended by an equal number of boys and girls. By the end of the day, most of the children were saying that they were going to ask for fishing gear for Christmas, and in this technology-dominated age, that's a real result.”

Thank you to local funder, the Charles S French Charitable Trust, for their invaluable support of Fishing for Schools in the county.