British Disabled Angling Association

15/09/2026

🎣 Stannington Scout Group Visits Ladybower Fisheries 🐟

23 Scouts had a fantastic evening at Ladybower Fisheries, whilst half of the group had a educational walk around Ladybower Reservoir the other half took part in an exciting and educational session all about angling, fish rearing, fly tying and the environment.

The highlight of the visit was spending time in the British Disabled Angling Association Education Room, where the Scouts took part in a hands-on fly-tying workshop. They learned about the types of fish in the reservoir, different materials used to create artificial flies, how fly patterns imitate insects found around the reservoir and the skills needed to tie their own flies. The activity tested their patience, concentration, and creativity, with some impressive results!

The evening provided a great mix of practical learning, teamwork, and outdoor education, helping the Scouts develop new skills while gaining a deeper understanding of fishing.

🎣🌿🐟

07/09/2026

The British Disabled Angling Association Charity would like to say a big thank you to the organisers of The Angling Village within the Chatsworth Country Fair 2026 for inviting us back again this year.

It has been an amazing three-day event, giving us the chance to meet up with so many people who have already benefited from our services to help those with disabilities get back into fishing.

We also met many new people who are now going to begin their angling journey with the support of our accessible Pioner boats and adapted fishing equipment at Ladybower Fisheries

The BDAA would also like to say a special thank you to our amazing volunteers – Debbie, Ian and Josh Hoskins, and Brian Frith – for giving up their weekend again to support us working tirelessly handing out leaflets and talking to people who thought fishing was not possible due to types of disabilities.

During the three-day event, Ian Gregory and Richard Grainger assisted Josh down by the river in the Fly versus Maggot competition annual 30-minute fishing event in which Josh landed loads of fish making him the star attraction over the other competitors 🏆

It’s always inspiring when like-minded people come together to make a difference - putting smiles on faces and making fishing fun and inclusive for everyone.

04/09/2026

The British Disabled Angling Association stand is at the Chatsworth Country Fair 2026 showcasing one of the BDAA Pioner wheelchair accessible boats and a full range of adapted fishing equipment based at Ladybower Fisheries. If you are coming to the show please pop in to The Angling Village located by the river to say hello and find out more about how we can assist people with disabilities get in to fishing for the first time, or back in to fishing after a life changing event 🚤🎣

27/08/2026

“Adaptive fishing in the middle of the Peak District, totally a thing!” 🎣

Congratulations to British Disabled Angling Association at Ladybower Fisheries winners of August’s Club of the Month Award.

Search your postcode to discover adaptive fishing and other inclusive activities in your local area on powered by Toyota UK from ParalympicsGB

14/08/2026

What a wonderful summer we have been having so far. Over the past few weeks we have hosted many participants out on the water with the British Disabled Angling Association using the amazing Pioner accessible boats at Ladybower Fisheries.

The sun was out, the fishing has been great with lots of trout caught and the occasional perch. The best part has been to see so many people with smiles on their faces experience the beauty of Ladybower Reservoir in the Peak District National Park

The accessible boats provided a safe and comfortable way for everyone to enjoy a day on the water and share their passion for angling under the guidance of our BDAA qualified fishing coaches and RYA boat handlers.

🚤🎣☀️😊

27/07/2026

It was a pleasure to meet you • Sophie Bradbury-Cox • and your family at Ladybower Fisheries and well done on catching your first ever trout out on the BDAA accessible Pioner boat 🎣

20/07/2026

The BDAA Charity Heroes Projects have been proud to support Fishing For Heroes during their 2026 visit to Scotland salmon fishing seeing even more veterans and serving personnel who are suffering from emotional issues after the horrors of active service.

For more information please have a look at the amazing work that they do for veterans with PTSD on their Fishing For Heroes website.

https://www.fishingforheroes.com

So many thanks for everyone who supported our latest trip to Scotland salmon fishing. In particular we’d like to thank the British Disabled Angling Association for their ongoing support.

19/07/2026

People with upper body restricted disabilities can be prevented from fishing using a fixed-spool fishing reel due to numerous conditions, including hand dexterity, stroke, limb loss, neurological conditions, arthritis and reduced upper limb function.

The British Disabled Angling Association has been working with James Wardle from RapidReel over the past 3 years, trialing his prototype touch button control reels and harnesses. The fantastic touch-button RapidReel is available direct from his website and can also be demonstrated by the BDAA at Ladybower Fisheries in the Peak District National Park.

The RapidReel is an adaptive electric retrieval system that converts a standard fixed-spool fishing reel into an electrically-assisted reel. It does this without permanently modifying the original equipment, with a compact geared motor that drives the reel through a precision timing belt, allowing line retrieval at the press of a button.

The lightweight modular design can be powered by either an internal 9V lithium battery for portability or an external rechargeable battery for extended fishing sessions which can be changed with one hand movement.

The control switch can also be positioned to suit the individual user's physical abilities. This makes the system adaptable for a wide range of disabilities, combined with a optional support harness - also designed, manufactured and supplied by James Wardle - further increases independence for users with limited arm strength or movement, making fishing available to more people with disabilities.

James’s dedication to remove barriers in fishing with his adapted fishing reels has been a true labour of love for the sport and he is nominated for an award. Please spare a couple of minutes to find out more about how he is changing the future of fishing by pressing this link and give him your support by voting for him if possible.

https://contest.techbriefs.com/2026/entries/medical/14372-0702-094100-an-adaptive-electric-retrieval-system-restoring-independent-fishing-for-people-with-upper-limb-disabilities

17/07/2026

Well done Sherbourne Fields Special School Students, your smiles on the photos say it all 🎣

17/07/2026

Well done to the 24 Year 7 students from the SEND section at Tibshelf Community School on your outstanding performance at Ladybower Fisheries this year. Over the course of the programme, you have learned how to fly fish for trout, drive the Pioner accessible boats, gained valuable water safety knowledge, explored fish management practices, and discovered more about how Severn Trent manage the water supply.

The two teams of 12 students who took it in turns every Friday during the school term time have caught some amazing trout over the school year and have been rewarded over the past 2 Fridays with a welcomed ice cream and certificates.

It has been a pleasure for the BDAA coaching team to spend time with you all over the past few months. Your enthusiasm, behaviour, and commitment have been exceptional, and you are a real credit to yourselves and your school.