The new 2025 season begins

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Published on April 3, 2025

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The new 2025 season begins

Introduction

A New Season Begins

The 2025 junior angling season officially got underway this weekend at the beautiful and serene Thorney Lakes, and what a spectacular way to kick things off. With clear skies above and rods at the ready, we welcomed an incredible 23 junior anglers to the bank — our largest turnout to date. It was a special day for everyone involved, from first-time cadets to returning juniors, volunteers, and proud parents watching on from the sidelines.

There’s something magical about the first match of the season. It sets the tone, brings fresh excitement, and reminds us why we do what we do — supporting young anglers, building confidence, and creating memories that last a lifetime.

The Venue: Why We Love Thorney Lakes

Nestled in the heart of Somerset, Thorney Lakes has become a firm favourite for our junior matches. The surroundings are peaceful, the facilities are top-notch, and the waters are well-stocked and beautifully maintained. A huge and heartfelt thank you goes out to Sally & Mark, our incredible hosts, who once again pulled out all the stops to make us feel welcome. From their warm hospitality to the fantastic layout of the pegs, they made sure everything ran smoothly — and with 23 young anglers on-site, that’s no small task! It’s not just a venue; it’s a hub for growth, sportsmanship, and learning. And today, Thorney Lakes provided the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable day of fishing.

23 Juniors – Our Biggest First Match Turnout Yet

This was a record-breaking start to the season for Somerset Youth Angling Club. Seeing 23 juniors line up along the bank for our first match of the year was a brilliant sight — and a clear sign that junior angling in Somerset is thriving. It wasn’t just the numbers that impressed. The diversity of skill levels, the range of ages, and the sheer enthusiasm on display was something truly special. For many of our cadets, this was their first ever competitive match, and they handled it with maturity, focus, and resilience. Meanwhile, our more experienced juniors helped guide and support the younger ones, showing that community and teamwork are just as important as catching fish. Organising a match of this scale takes effort — from preparing pegs and sorting bait to running the weigh-in and keeping everyone safe — and we’re incredibly grateful to our volunteers, coaches, and parents who made it possible.

The Match: A Slow Start, Then Fireworks

As the whistle blew to start the match, excitement filled the air. But as any seasoned angler will tell you, fishing isn’t always about instant action. The lake felt the pressure early on — with so many anglers on the water, the fish took a little while to come out and play. The first hour was quiet. Rod tips stayed still. Conversations turned to tactics. Bait choices were changed. But if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that perseverance pays off. And it did. As the match progressed, we started seeing telltale signs — bubbles rising, slight twitches in the line, and finally… bent rods! 🎣 The fish were waking up, and suddenly pegs across the lake were in action. Roach, bream, and carp started making appearances, and for many of our cadets, it was their first proper match catch — an unforgettable moment. The atmosphere shifted from tentative to electric. Cheers, laughter, and encouragement filled the air. Every catch was celebrated, every landing net stretched, and every child walked away with not just a result, but a story to tell.

Celebrating Our Winners

While every junior who turned up today was a winner in our eyes, we want to take a moment to celebrate the top finishers who really stood out. 🧒 Cadets Division: 🥇 1st – Barnaby - Calm, focused, and consistent throughout, Barnaby showed real promise. His strategic peg management and use of light tackle proved to be a winning combination. 🥈 2nd – George - George had a slow start but came alive in the last hour, putting in a string of great catches to claim second spot. 🥉 3rd – Rupert - A quiet angler with a big heart — Rupert fished smartly and with great patience, earning his place on the podium. 👧 Juniors Division: 🥇 1st – Freddie - An absolutely stellar performance from Freddie who had his swim dialled in from the get-go. He read the water well, adapted to conditions, and showed impressive angling maturity. 🥈 2nd – Archie - Archie’s consistent catching rate kept him in contention all day. He showed real determination and earned every ounce of that second place. 🥉 3rd – Ava - Ava continues to impress match after match. Her quiet focus, great bait presentation, and positive attitude make her one to watch this season! Well done to all our young anglers — your passion, sportsmanship, and resilience were on full display today.

More Than Just Fishing – Life Skills in Action

At Somerset Youth Angling, we always say that it’s not just about fishing — it’s about developing life skills. Today we saw problem-solving, patience, communication, adaptability, and self-belief in action. Whether it was sharing bait, helping a friend unhook a fish, or staying positive during a tough spell, these kids showed incredible character. And let’s not forget the resilience — fishing in a match environment can be intense, but each and every child stuck with it and gave it their best. These experiences build confidence. They teach responsibility. They grow a love for nature. And they remind us why we do what we do.

Parents, Volunteers & Coaches – Thank You!

Behind every successful junior match are the unsung heroes — the mums and dads getting up early to pack the gear, the volunteers marking pegs, the coaches offering guidance, and helping keep the day running smoothly. To our amazing team of volunteers — we can’t thank you enough. Your time, energy, and dedication create these special moments for the kids. To our parents and guardians — thank you for trusting us with your children’s development and letting them explore the joy of angling in such a supportive community. To our club organisers and committee members — your work behind the scenes makes these events possible.

Looking Ahead – The Season Is Just Getting Started

If today is anything to go by, we’re in for a phenomenal season. With more matches lined up across our beautiful Somerset venues, we’re excited to see our cadets and juniors continue to grow, compete, and most importantly — enjoy every second on the bank. We’ll be rolling out new coaching sessions, evening meets, quiz nights, and fishing trips — all aimed at developing our juniors both on and off the water. Want to get involved? Whether your child is brand new to fishing or already has some experience, we welcome young anglers of all levels. Keep an eye on our website and Facebook page for upcoming match dates, coaching info, and registration details.

Final Thoughts

A Day to Remember

Today wasn’t just a match. It was a milestone. For some, it was their first time fishing competitively. For others, it was a step forward in their angling journey. And for all of us — it was a day to remember.

We left Thorney Lakes with tired legs, muddy boots, and big smiles. The rods are packed away (for now), but the memories made today will stay with us.

As a club, we’re proud. Proud of the young people we’re helping grow. Proud of the families who support them. And proud of the community we’re building around the simple, powerful act of picking up a rod and casting out into the unknown.

🎣 Until next time — tight lines!

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