British Disabled Angling Association

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.

26/06/2026

Due to the hot weather this week, the BDAA Fishing Charity at Ladybower Fisheries has had to cancel some of our SEND school fishing sessions in the hottest parts of the days. However, it has still been a fantastic month, for people with disabilities enjoying time out on the water using our wheelchair-accessible boats in the rain or shine.

It’s been wonderful to see so many people having fun. All benefiting from the experience of learning how to fish from the accessible pontoon and boats whilst learning more about how to stay safe near or on water.

The Stannington scout group last week enjoyed a change from their usual late evening scout meetings have taken advantage of the evening breeze at Ladybower learning how to fly fish for trout.

A huge thank you to everyone for your generous donations—your support enables us to continue bringing happiness and memorable experiences to so many people every month.

31/05/2026

As May draws to a close, it’s amazing how quickly the month has passed—bringing everything from cold rain and strong winds to truly glorious sunshine at Ladybower Fisheries out fishing on our BDAA wheelchair accessible boats using adapted fishing equipment when needed.

The British Disabled Angling Association would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone involved, and to all those who continue to support us through donations.

Your generosity helps us provide memorable days out fishing for people with disabilities—creating special moments and, most importantly, putting smiles on faces.

If you feel able to make a donation to the BDAA then please follow this link to find out more about what we do and the difference fishing can make to peoples lives. Thank you.

https://bdaa.co.uk/bdaa-donations

27/05/2026

It was fun in the sun yesterday at Ladybower Fisheries for 35 people from Phab groups including Whalley Junior Phab Club, Southport Phab Club and I Am Phab - Wirral.

This was the first ever joint event with the British Disabled Angling Association and Anyone Can inclusive outdoor adventures combining a day of fishing and canoeing for people with disabilities and their families enabling all the attendees to have a go at both events.

A massive thank you to Ladybower Fisheries and everyone who came along and helped make the day so special.

20/05/2026

The students from Redwood School Rochdale SEND School have been at Ladybower Fisheries today learning about fish management at the fishery alongside getting to grips with setting up fly fishing rods and reels before going out fishing for trout on the BDAA boats.

Some of the students enjoyed catching trout 🎣

Most of the students enjoyed driving the BDAA Pioner boats 🚤

All of the students enjoyed being in an outdoor learning environment and having a go at fly fishing for the first time alongside learning how to be safe near or on the water.

With the continuing funded support from the General Public, Trusts and Businesses The British Disabled Angling Association Charity are able to run the Schools Fishing Projects shaping the future of fishing for the next generation in a fun filled educational setting.