Winter Angling Indoor Sessions – Starting October!

Meet the coaches and group, outline the winter programme, and take part in a fun “Fishing Bingo” game to break the ice and recap on summer highlights.

Explore how fishing changes in winter compared to summer. Discuss water temperature, fish behaviour, and how tackle choice and feeding strategies adapt to colder conditions.

Learn and practise essential fishing knots, including the blood knot, half blood knot, and loop-to-loop. Juniors first use thick cord, then real line, building confidence with supervision.

Introduction to pole, whip, waggler, and feeder fishing. Learn when each method is used and the benefits of different tackle setups.

Rotate around stations to set up each tackle type. Juniors practise threading line, attaching floats or feeders, and handling poles and rods safely with coach guidance.

A focused activity on line threading and elastic systems, giving juniors a solid foundation in setting up their gear correctly.

Introduction to float rigs, explaining shotting patterns, balance, and how rigs present bait correctly in the water.

Build a simple whip rig step by step, attaching float, shot, and hooklength. Coaches supervise to ensure rigs are safe and effective.

Review what was learned, discuss why balance matters, and store finished rigs on winders or in labelled bags ready for use in future sessions.

Learn about fixed and slider waggler rigs, their uses, and how to adapt them for different depths and venues.

Juniors build their own waggler rigs, attaching line, float rubbers, and shotting patterns. Coaches support safe and accurate setup.

Use rig boards and water bowls to practise balancing floats. Juniors compare rigs and discuss why correct shotting improves presentation.

Understand why hooklengths are used, how breaking strain works, and how knot strength affects rig performance.

Juniors use hook tyers and line to make at least 10 hooklengths each. Coaches assist with knot technique and line trimming.

Store hooklengths neatly in hook boxes and review the importance of having spare, ready-to-use hooklengths in matches.

A guest match angler shares their approach to winter fishing, covering rigs, feeding, and watercraft. Juniors can ask questions.

Live demonstration of rigs or bait preparation by the guest. Juniors take notes to use in future sessions.

Fun quiz on tactics and watercraft, reinforcing what was learned during the talk. Prizes or points for the winning team.

Learn how to spot features such as shelves, reeds, and deeper areas. Discuss how weather, depth, and time of year affect fish location.

Juniors use aerial photos to create “peg maps” of a venue, marking likely fish-holding spots and explaining their reasoning.

Compare peg maps and talk through decisions as a group. Coaches provide feedback on how to improve watercraft skills.

A festive quiz combining fishing trivia with Christmas-themed fun.

Juniors decorate and personalise floats using paints and markers. A fun creative activity to take home.

Enjoy mince pies and drinks, award small prizes for quiz winners, and reflect on the first half of the winter programme.

Introduction to feeder and bomb rigs, including flat method, open-end, and straight lead. Learn when and why each is used.

Juniors build simple method feeder and bomb rigs, attaching hooklengths and feeders. Coaches supervise for safety and accuracy.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of feeder vs ledger, and when juniors might use these methods in matches.

Learn about elastics, cupping kits, and how pole sections are shipped in and out. Coaches demonstrate safe handling indoors.

Juniors practise threading elastics through spare top kits, fitting bungs, and adding connectors. Coaches assist step by step.

Review what juniors found most challenging about pole fishing. Discuss how to apply today’s skills outdoors.

Introduction to whip fishing, why it’s used for silver fish, and how it works in speed matches.

Juniors set up short whip rigs with small floats, fine line, and barbless hooks. Coaches check knots and float balance.

Fun activity using whips to “catch” targets (bowls, cups, paper fish) indoors, encouraging speed and accuracy.

Guest angler introduces safe predator fishing, covering tackle, wire traces, and fish welfare. Juniors learn the dangers of pike handling.

Demonstration of safe wire trace making and lure rig setups. Juniors can try basic trace crimping under supervision.

Juniors ask questions about predator fishing, lures, and venues. Coaches reinforce safety as the priority.

Learn about hair rigs, bolt rigs, and method feeders. Discussion on why hair rigs changed carp angling.

Juniors tie hair rigs using baiting needles, hooks, and boilie stops. Coaches demonstrate step by step.

Group discussion on carp welfare (unhooking mats, correct handling). Review why safe rig construction prevents tethered fish.

Guest speaker or coach explains beach fishing, boat fishing, and estuary tactics. Show typical rods, reels, and leads.

Juniors build simple 2-hook flapper rigs using mono line, swivels, and hooks. Coaches supervise for safe tying.

Talk about where juniors could try sea fishing locally, and how sea angling differs from coarse fishing.

Learn about fly rods, lines, and flies. Coaches explain how trout and grayling are targeted on rivers and lakes.

Juniors tie simple “wool flies” or fun patterns using safe barbless hooks, feathers, and thread. Coaches supervise carefully.

Show a short video or guest demo of fly casting outdoors. Discuss why timing and rhythm are key.

Deep dive into advanced features such as undercut banks, wind lanes, snags, and marginal shelves.

In groups, juniors plan peg tactics for a venue based on maps, drawing out lines of attack.

Groups present their peg plans and receive feedback on realistic tactics.

Learn about groundbait mixes, pellets, maggots, worms, and additives. Discuss how bait changes in winter.

Juniors prepare a groundbait mix indoors, experimenting with consistency. Coaches check and advise.

Juniors learn how to feed sparingly in winter. Practical demo using bowls/containers to simulate feeding patterns.

Learn how to plan a match – feeding lines, time management, and adapting when conditions change.

Juniors draw pegs and create a strategy for their swim. Coaches provide guidance on realistic expectations.

Groups present their strategies, compare ideas, and learn from each other’s approaches.

Discuss how to pick rigs, bait, and lines for different venues.

Each junior creates a full match plan including bait, rigs, and feeding approach. Coaches review individually.

Juniors share their plans in pairs and receive constructive feedback.

To be confirmed.....

Juniors compete to tie key knots quickly and correctly.

Teams build a complete rig in the shortest time, judged on accuracy and safety.

Fun team quiz recapping everything learned across the winter. Prizes for winners.

Juniors present rigs, floats, or hooklengths they’ve made over the winter.

Fun awards (e.g. best knot tyer, most improved, funniest moment). Certificates or small prizes.

Coaches preview the outdoor season, discussing venues, matches, and goals for the spring.