The Angling Trades Association (ATA), with the financial assistance & support of The Environment Agency (EA), are delighted to announce that National Fishing Week 2007 (NFW) will take place from the 21st-29th July this year.

The new date is a month earlier than previous NFW’s, however the belief is by bringing the event forward to the beginning of the school holidays it will allow the keen first timers, many more opportunities to perfect their new found skills, during the summer vacation.

The ATA & EA believe that by this move of dates, will give the Angling Industry a much-needed boost in sales of day tickets, licences & tackle. Sean O’Driscoll the newly appointed chairman of the ATA had this comment to make on the announcement, ‘National Fishing Week (NFW), is clearly recognised as the single most important recruiting event for new anglers in the industry calendar. Great strides have been made over the last 3 years to provide quality tuition, venues and information to thousands of ‘new-comers’. It continues to be the aim of the ATA to convert as many of these first-timers as possible into the anglers of the future’.

Ian Boden helps young James with his first ever fished during last week’s National Fishing Week…

The ATA are also quick to recognise the tremendous support and financial assistance of the EA in this campaign. Richard Wightman from the EA, had this comment to make, ‘the EA has seen the great value delivered by NFW over the past 3 years. Not only has there been an increase in the sales of rod licences, suggesting that more anglers are participating in the sport, but we have also been encouraged by the positive media coverage that angling has received during the event. Bringing the event forward to the beginning of the holidays has been a bold move; however one we believe will reap rewards for all and ensure that angling becomes a major part of recreation for many during the summer holidays.’

National Fishing Week will be announcing over the next few weeks a few additional components to the event. Neil Sellers, who has project managed NFW for the last few years, has once again been retained by the ATA and he had this to say, ‘NFW has become a brand in its own right in the Angling Industry and represents all that is good and positive within Britain’s favourite outdoor sporting pastime. It is the intention to introduce some new dynamics to NFW this year that will result in an even bigger boost to the industry than ever before. The ATA & EA are currently working very hard behind the scenes in putting these dynamics together and will be going to press shortly’.

So it appears we need to ‘watch this space for the next instalment’, but in the meantime get those initial dates in your diary and get planning your event.

Anyone requiring further information on how to get involved with NFW can contact Neil on 07778049398 or by email at info@nationalfishingweek.co.uk