
Fishing Lessons
All of The School Of Fish lessons are delivered at the excellent Waterside Fishery in mid-Cornwall. There are three lakes to chose from that are perfect for your fishing experience. They have been chosen for both their fantastic fishing and their beautiful and quiet surroundings. they’re also easy to find with plenty of parking. I will always select a lake that I feel will help us have the best chance of being safe and successful. All the lessons are booked through an online event booking platform to make it easy for, and me!
As much as I would love to offer more dates every year and provide the one-to-one sessions many people ask for, I’m afraid I just don’t have the time. Fishing is my life-long passion and I give lessons because I simply love sharing fishing with people, I don’t do it to make any money so it has to fit around a full-time job which is why the sessions are mostly delivered in the evenings, after work (which just happens to be the best time to catch fish!).
2025 Season Dates
Below are the dates in the diary so far. I’ll add more dates later in the year.
Fishing Afternoon - April 4th
Lesson Summary
- Book on Ticket Tailor – Booking from March 28th, 7pm
- Time – 4:30 – 6pm
- Cost – £6.50 per person
- Number of spaces– Up to six 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 Afternoon - April 18th
Lesson Summary
- Book on Ticket Tailor – Booking from April 11th, 7pm
- Time – 4:30 – 6pm
- Cost – £6.50 per person
- Number of spaces– Up to six 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.
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 6th
Lesson Summary
- Book on Ticket Tailor – Booking from April 29th, 7pm
- Time – 6 – 7.30pm
- Cost – £6.50 per person
- Number of spaces– Up to six 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.
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 27th
Lesson Summary
- Book on Ticket Tailor – Booking from May 20th, 7pm
- Time – 6 – 7.30pm
- Cost – £6.50 per person
- Number of spaces– Up to six 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.
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 17th
Lesson Summary
- Book on Ticket Tailor – Booking from June 10th, 7pm
- Time – 6 – 7:30pm
- Cost – £6.50 per person
- Number of spaces– Up to six 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.
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 8th
Lesson Summary
- Book on Ticket Tailor – Booking from July 1st, 7pm
- Time – 6 – 7:30pm
- Cost – £6.50 per person
- Number of spaces– Up to six 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.
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.

Watch this space for more dates in 2025
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
We all did some learning in May
Here he was passing on his goby snatching skills and becoming totally lost in that mini monster world where the fish they caught were a fraction of the size the lures they use in tuna season but the smiles were every bit as big. Fishing is the biggest leveller I have ever experienced in my life. Give two people a rod and they are equal no matter what their background.
April had a little bit of everything
First up was the expected Dog Fish. For a seasoned angler, these are not an exciting catch but for six year olds that have never seen one before it’s the most exciting thing in the world!
Testimonials
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