Friday 19 July 2019

COACHING

Martin Gains Level Two Award

Having gained his starter and level one Cast awards in 2017 and 2018, Martin Doncaster continues to advance his angling skills.  Now he has excelled himself and gained his level two certificate under the watchful eye of Poringland Lakes’ coaches Mark Casto and Mick Morley.
To gain his certificate Martin has taken part in a total of 27 two hour coaching lessons covering all aspects of angling skills from beginner to advanced. His carer Adam Hollings has been very impressed by Martin’s progress and agreed with his coach that Martin is now ready to move on to level three.
Martin is to be congratulated for his remarkable achievement and for his determination and enthusiasm to work towards these awards. He was very proud to receive his level two certificate today awarded to him by his coach and support workers Belinda Seily (manager) and Adam Hollings, his carer, both of whom were full of praise for all the hard work he has put in to reach level two.
Coach Casto had this to say: “I have spent over ten years coaching many individuals but have to say working with Martin has really been a pleasure and an eye opener. Martin has surprised us all and shown everyone who knows him just how dedicated and focused he is.  It has been my great pleasure to help him gain these qualifications and improve his angling skills.
So now it’s onwards and upwards for Martin as he sets his sights on gaining his level three certificate. Well done Martin!

Sunday 7 July 2019

Coaching feedback from Corinne and her boys



Dear Mark, 


Thank you so much for this morning’s fishing course. Tom and Daniel loved every minute of it and could have gone on much longer!

It’s a pity that Daniel lives so far away and not able to benefit from more instruction but if he comes to stay again I know he will want to come again. In the meantime, both boys will put into practice what they learnt today.


Best wishes,
Corinne Boyce



I love it when a young family come along for a coaching session and really enjoy there fishing session its a real pleasure to see the happy faces and its a great family day for everyone

Sunday 30 June 2019


Under the watchful eye and guidance of Angling Trust level two coaches Mick Morley and Mark Casto, young families with busy mums and dads and people either returning to angling or trying it for the first time are taking up their rods and poles and enjoying a great day’s fishing.

Recently, Steven Bishop, a returning angler to the sport, completed a course of lessons at the lakes and is now confidently taking part in his local club’s angling matches.

One of our visitors to the Family Fishing Day, Adam enjoyed three coaching sessions to bring him up to speed on his pole fishing, all of which he said really helped him gain new skills and improve his fishing.

The latest people to benefit from the coaching at Poringland Lakes are Shannon and Oli, a busy mum and dad who wanted to try their hand at fishing but didn't know where to begin. Sessions were booked and after five coaching sessions on the basics of waggler, pole and feeder fishing, Shannon and Oli have now purchased a new set of fishing gear, rod licences and are putting their new found skills to good effect catching carp, roach, rudd and many other fish at Poringland Lakes.

Both have said how much they have enjoyed the sessions and have signed up to gain the Angling Trust Cast awards to further improve their angling

So if you’re struggling with your fishing or don't know where to start, book a session with our expert coaches and learn all you need to know to enjoy all the benefits angling at Poringland Lakes has to offer.

Tuesday 31 July 2018

A Novices Tale





Great article in Anglers Mail about the coaching at Poringland Lakes
sent in by one of my learners.

A Novice's Tale
My son Daniel, 15, had been pestering me some time to take him fishing but having never even been myself, I had absolutely no clue where to start, what to use, where to go or what to do. A friend told me about the brilliant day he had with his children at one of the family days at Poringland Lakes, saying how informative and friendly it was, but unfortunately, I couldn't make any of the planned dates. Still determined to start fishing and with Dan in my ear, I explored the Lakes' website and found out that they had volunteer angling coaches who could offer sessions at virtually next to nothing - just a donation to cover basic expenses.


I was so impressed by this, that I emailed Mark Casto, the Head Coach, for more details and he got in back in touch with me straight away, arranging a 2-hour beginners' coaching session for me and my son, the following Sunday. Mark geared the session specifically around our needs, which was amazing. He took us step-by-step through everything required to start fishing successfully at Poringland, guiding us through the kinds of equipment we'd need from bait to pole types, and then onto the basic techniques of catching a fish. Everything was explained in an understandable way with lots of opportunities to ask questions and we even managed a bite or two whilst we were there.


It was a brilliant learning experience as I would never have had a clue about how to get into angling otherwise and would never have dared venture into a tackle shop for fear of looking silly. I've now ordered a margin pole and can't wait to get using it with Dan at the Lakes. Mark has stayed in touch and continues to offer us tips and guidance from his many years of angling experience, which is very much valued and appreciated. Thank you to Poringland Lakes for starting me and my son on our journey into fishing, which I'm sure will give us years of enjoyment and challenge to come, plus I'll now be able to show the grandchildren what to do when the time comes.

Thursday 21 June 2018

The wonder of a river

My last coaching session with Adam and Martin was on my local river at Beccles and it proved a great session with a nice little bag of Perch. What fantastic fish Perch are and Martin and Adam had a great time learning to catch them. We also caught a lovely Gudgion at the end of the day and I was able to show Martin that this was the fish on his rod licence.











Wednesday 6 June 2018



















 Coaching is so rewarding at times and my work with Martin and his carer Adam has been a great pleasure. So to get awarded the star letter in Improve your Coarse fishing Magazine this month was the icing on the cake.

Sunday 25 February 2018

Rufus and the river monsters, well almost

COACHING

Rufus and the River Monsters

For weeks seven-year-old Rufus has crazed his Mum and Dad to take him fishing after avidly watching every episode of the television hit series River Monsters. 
So what better way to celebrate his eighth birthday on Saturday morning than for young Rufus to have his first ever fishing experience, under the watchful eye of Angling Trust coach Mark Casto. 
A bitterly cold day with a biting easterly wind and ice floating on the surface didn’t deter ultra keen Rufus or his Mum and Dad as they took shelter behind Mark’s giant umbrella. 
The trying conditions would have tested even the most experienced match angler but thankfully young Rufus did manage to catch a few fish and by all accounts, is now even more hooked! 

Perhaps the whole session was best summed up by Mum and Dad, Ben and Hettie who said: 
“Thank you so very much for a wonderful morning. It was just perfect.  Rufus absolutely loved the experience and went to bed talking about the rudd and two roach he landed. We all learnt so much.  It truly was a brilliant introduction to angling and Rufus is already asking about the next time we can go. He loved his birthday treat. Thank you for making it such an inspiring, informative and accessible session... despite the freezing conditions.” 
Coach Casto was equally enthusiastic. 
"Introducing youngsters into the wonderful world of angling is so rewarding, one of the main reasons I enjoy coaching so much. Rufus was a top class student and was thrilled to bits to catch his first fish.  Conditions were tough though as it was so cold and he had to concentrate hard to succeed but when he landed his first fish, a small rudd, his Mum and Dad were really happy for him, as was I.  They all enjoyed their first coaching lesson at Poringland Lakes and I am sure will visit us again soon.”