
Fishing Lessons
All of The School Of Fish lessons are delivered the excellent Waterside Fishery in mid-Cornwall. There are three lakes to chose from that are perfect for you fishing experience. They have been chosen for both their fantastic fishing and their beautiful and quiet surroundings. I will always select a lake that I feel will help us have the best chance of achieving your goals on the day. Every coaching session will start with a free telephone consultation. It’s great to get to know you a little bit first and importantly to understand what you want to get from your time at The School Of Fish. If you can’t see exactly what you’re looking for, please do contact me and we’ll look at a way to meet your needs.
2023 Season Dates - SEASON OVER
We’re all done for another year. With the evenings drawing in and the weather becoming less favourable lessons go on hold until next year. We’ll get started again in April. Look out for new dates added in March. Tight lines!
Family Fishing Day - April 8th - FULLY BOOKED
Lesson Summary
Book Now– Book on Eventbrite – FULLY BOOKED- Cost – £5 per session
- Duration – 45 minutes
- Number of spaces– Up to five in a session
- Location – Waterside Fishery, nr Bodmin
- Equipment – all provided
Rod License – The rod licence requirement is waived for the activity by the Environment Agency in association with the Angling Trust.
Lesson Description
Fishing is a great activity to do together with friends and family and gets everyone outside. These 45 minute sessions are a brief introduction where we aim to help everyone catch their first fish. In groups of up to five you’ll be shown the basics of safe fishing, the tackle, fish care and hopefully, how to take a great photo of your first catch. All ages are welcome.

Fishing Evening - April 17th - FULLY BOOKED
Lesson Summary
Book Now– Book on Eventbrite – FULLY BOOKED- Cost – £5 per session
- Duration – 6 – 7:30pm
- Number of spaces– Up to five in a session
- Location – Waterside Fishery, nr Bodmin
- Equipment – all provided
Rod License – The rod licence requirement is waived for the activity by the Environment Agency in association with the Angling Trust.
Lesson Description
These 90 minute sessions are a brief introduction where we aim to help everyone catch their first fish. In groups of up to six you’ll be shown the basics of safe fishing, the tackle, fish care and hopefully, how to take a great photo of your first catch. All ages are welcome.

Fishing Evening - May 15th - FULLY BOOKED
Lesson Summary
Book Now– Book on Eventbrite – FULLY BOOKED- Cost – £5 per person
- Duration – 6 – 7:30pm
- Number of spaces– Up to five in a session
- Location – Waterside Fishery, nr Bodmin
- Equipment – all provided
Rod License – The rod licence requirement is waived for the activity by the Environment Agency in association with the Angling Trust.
Lesson Description
These 90 minute sessions are a brief introduction where we aim to help everyone catch their first fish. In groups of up to six you’ll be shown the basics of safe fishing, the tackle, fish care and hopefully, how to take a great photo of your first catch. All ages are welcome.

Fishing Evening - June 12th - FULLY BOOKED
Lesson Summary
- Book Now – Book on Eventbrite
- Cost – £5 per person
- Duration – 6 – 7:30pm
- Number of spaces– Up to five in a session
- Location – Waterside Fishery, nr Bodmin
- Equipment – all provided
Rod License – The rod licence requirement is waived for the activity by the Environment Agency in association with the Angling Trust.
Lesson Description
These 90 minute sessions are a brief introduction where we aim to help everyone catch their first fish. In groups of up to six you’ll be shown the basics of safe fishing, the tackle, fish care and hopefully, how to take a great photo of your first catch. All ages are welcome.

Fishing Evening - July 10th - FULLY BOOKED
Lesson Summary
- Book Now – Book on Eventbrite
- Cost – £5 per session
- Duration – 6 – 7:30pm
- Number of spaces– Up to five in a session
- Location – Waterside Fishery, nr Bodmin
- Equipment – all provided
Rod License – The rod licence requirement is waived for the activity by the Environment Agency in association with the Angling Trust.
Lesson Description
These 90 minute sessions are a brief introduction where we aim to help everyone catch their first fish. In groups of up to six you’ll be shown the basics of safe fishing, the tackle, fish care and hopefully, how to take a great photo of your first catch. All ages are welcome.

Family Fishing Day - August 19th - FULLY BOOKED
Lesson Summary
- Book Now – Book on Eventbrite
- Cost – £5 per session
- Duration – 45 minutes
- Number of spaces– Up to five in a session
- Location – Waterside Fishery, nr Bodmin
- Equipment – all provided
Rod License – The rod licence requirement is waived for the activity by the Environment Agency in association with the Angling Trust.
Lesson Description
Fishing is a great activity to do together with friends and family and gets everyone outside. These 45 minute sessions are a brief introduction where we aim to help everyone catch their first fish. In groups of up to five you’ll be shown the basics of safe fishing, the tackle, fish care and hopefully, how to take a great photo of your first catch. All ages are welcome.

Fishing Evening - September 11th - FULLY BOOKED
Lesson Summary
Book Now– Book on Eventbrite – FULLY BOOKED- Cost – £5 per session
- Duration – 6 – 7:30pm
- Number of spaces– Up to five in a session
- Location – Waterside Fishery, nr Bodmin
- Equipment – all provided
Rod License – The rod licence requirement is waived for the activity by the Environment Agency in association with the Angling Trust.
Lesson Description
These 90 minute sessions are a brief introduction where we aim to help everyone catch their first fish. In groups of up to six you’ll be shown the basics of safe fishing, the tackle, fish care and hopefully, how to take a great photo of your first catch. All ages are welcome.

Terms and Conditions
Booking
Booking needs to be made in advance of the coaching session. The more notice you can give the better chance we’ve got of getting the place or date you want. Payment for the session must be made in advance of the session through the Eventbrite booking platform.
Cancellations
If the weather conditions look really poor for either fishing outcomes or indeed it looks like it will be uncomfortable or indeed dangerous, I will cancel the session. You don’t want to sit it out in tough conditions and I don’t want to see you struggle when we can always pick another day.
Catch guarantee
There is no guarantee of catching a fish but I will try my very hardest to see that you do. Lesson at The School Of Fish are about developing various techniques and putting them into practice. I want to see you catch a fish more than anyone but fish are wild creatures so I can’t make a promise.
Fishery rules
The rules of the fishery will be explained when we start. Understanding these on any fishery you visit is important. If anyone constantly breaks the rules of the fishery whilst in a lesson with The School Of Fish, the lesson will be ended and you will be asked to leave and no refund will be issued.
Fishing Tips and Videos
How do I plumb the depth when I’m fishing?
Plumbing the depth is an important skill to master to help you become a better angler. It will take around…
How do I catch fish “On the Drop”?
Catching fish “On the Drop” simply means, the fish are taking the bait as it drops through the water. It’s…
Fishing News and Adventures
Oh baby it’s cold outside!
There’s still lots of good fishing to be had but there’s no doubt it gets a little bit harder and being smart with time is more important than ever.
Big ones at last!
Third cast and here come the “wild swimmers” to whom I remarked, “which one of us looks more daft, you or me!?”. It was 6:30am, dark and fresh. I kind of admired their adventure but I wasn’t about to swap my fishing rod for a pair of speedos!
Testimonials
AIM Award Qualification for young Samuel
Could not recommend his lessons more highly
Having recently been disabled not only has my mobility suffered greatly but my confidence had taken a huge knock also. My hobby of sea fishing had to end and I hoped to find a way to return to freshwater fishing. I found by chance the pike fishing lesson with Alex and signed up hoping for a little guidance. Never mind ‘guidance’, Alex thoroughly covered all aspects each of the fishing methods with his knowledge,considerate attitude to both venue and fish handling. Alex took extra care and put forward options for me to help overcome any difficulties posed my health and I am now ready to take up fishing once again thanks to Alex. Could not recommend his lessons more highly. Martin
They had a fantastic day on the lake with Alex!
I booked a carp fishing lesson for my partner and brother in laws, who all tell me they had a fantastic day on the lake with Alex! They went over to Newquay on Sunday and along with picking up new skills throughout the day, they had multiple catches between them. Alex is not only knowledgeable and passionate about what he does, but a super nice guy as well – we’ll be highly recommending to anyone looking to improve skills or take up fishing as a hobby! Thanks again!
The morning was a perfect balance of instruction and personal involvement
I attended the School of Fish course entitled “Get back into angling – predator fishing” last Saturday morning at Porth reservoir.
I have to say that rarely has three hours passed so quickly and it is not often that I have found an instructor, in any field, so competent, succinct and amusing as Alex.
The morning was a perfect balance of instruction and personal involvement and I am already arranging to attend further courses with my son in law, who was so enthused by my description on the mornings proceedings that he wishes to become involved.
Many thanks Alex