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.
2024 Season Dates
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!
Fishing Afternoon - March 22nd
Lesson Summary
- Book on Eventbrite – Booking from March 19th, 7pm
- Cost – £5 per session
- Duration – 90 minutes
- 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 Open Day - April 13th
Lesson Summary
- Book on Eventbrite – Booking from March 30th
- 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 23rd
Lesson Summary
- Book on Eventbrite – Booking from April 15th
- Cost – £5 per person
- Duration – 6 – 7:30pm
- 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 Evening - May 14th
Lesson Summary
- Book on Eventbrite – Booking from May 6th
- Cost – £5 per person
- Duration – 6 – 7:30pm
- 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 Evening - June 11th
Lesson Summary
- Book on Eventbrite – Booking from June 3rd
- Cost – £5 per session
- Duration – 6 – 7:30pm
- 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 Evening - July 9th
Lesson Summary
- Book on Eventbrite – Booking from July 1st
- Cost – £5 per session
- Duration – 6 – 7:30pm
- 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 Evening - August 27th
Lesson Summary
- Book on Ticket Tailor – Booking from August 19th, 7pm
- Cost – £5 per session (plus booking fee)
- Duration – 6 – 7:30pm
- 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.
Watch this space for more dates in 2024
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
Half term fun
If it hadn’t been for my boy turning his back on his float for a couple of minutes and me striking a bite and refusing to let him wind in the tiny Perch on the end, I wouldn’t have caught a single fish!
Changing the Game
It was the near misses that made it all fun. But the players in the game were desperate to win every time. Why? Win every time and what have you got left? You’ve ruined your own game surely?
Testimonials
AIM Award Qualification for young Samuel
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
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