Improve Your Fishing

Improve Your Fishing is a specialist coaching service for coarse and specimen anglers operating from Bradshaw Hall Fisheries, offering structured tuition rather than a traditional tackle shop or generic fishery service. The focus is on helping anglers of all ages and abilities develop practical skills on the bank, with sessions tailored to individual goals such as catching a first fish, learning modern methods or refining tactics for larger carp and pike. For prospective visitors this makes it a hands‑on, skills‑based option for improving results rather than simply booking a peg and being left to work things out alone.

The coaching is led by professional angling tutor Andy Ormrod, who has more than fifteen years of experience delivering structured tuition across coarse, carp and pike fishing. Feedback from past customers consistently highlights his calm manner, clear explanations and ability to adjust the pace of a session to suit both complete beginners and returning anglers. Parents in particular value how he helps children feel relaxed and involved, turning a day’s fishing into a shared learning experience rather than a pressured lesson. That emphasis on patient instruction is one of the core strengths of the business and a key reason many clients say they would happily book again.

One of the major advantages for new anglers is that sessions include use of all tackle, bait and fishery tickets, so there is no need to invest heavily in equipment before deciding whether coarse angling is something you wish to pursue. Many beginners waste money on unsuitable gear, but here the coach provides a full set‑up and offers impartial advice on what to buy later, which can save considerable cost over time. This approach is particularly attractive for families trying coarse fishing for the first time, as it removes much of the uncertainty around rods, reels, line strengths and terminal tackle. It also allows more experienced anglers to experiment with different methods and rigs without having to own every item themselves.

Improve Your Fishing operates on the waters of Bradshaw Hall Fisheries, a commercial coarse complex with eight lakes that cater for a wide spread of abilities from beginners through to specimen hunters. The fishery holds good stocks of carp, silver fish and other coarse species, giving coaching sessions a realistic chance of regular bites, which is vital when teaching concepts such as bite indication, float control or feeder presentation. Customers often comment that they caught plenty of fish during their lesson, with some mentioning memorable captures that renewed their enthusiasm for the sport. The setting is also described as peaceful and secure, which contributes to a relaxed learning environment for adults and juniors alike.

A key part of the offer is carp tuition, with structured day sessions aimed at anglers who want to step up from basic coarse methods into more targeted carp tactics. During these sessions, the coach typically covers tackle selection, safe rig tying, bite indication systems, casting basics, bait choices and bait presentation, plus fish playing and fish care. Many clients mention that they left feeling confident in setting up their own carp rigs and alarms, having previously relied on guesswork or advice from friends. For those interested in carp fishing, the presence of double‑figure and 20lb‑plus fish in the chosen lake provides realistic potential for personal‑best captures under guided supervision.

Pike and predator tuition is another strand of the service, appealing to anglers who are curious about targeting larger predatory species but are understandably cautious about safety and fish welfare. Coaching in this area tends to cover float and ledger presentations, lure fishing approaches, trace construction and safe unhooking techniques. Testimonials underline how learning to tie traces, set up predator rods and handle fish correctly gave clients confidence to fish independently while respecting the power and fragility of pike. This emphasis on welfare runs through all the sessions, with several anglers noting that tackle set‑ups and landing routines are designed to minimise stress to fish and leave the peg clean at the end of the day.

Coaching is not limited to one style or method; anglers can request tuition on pellet waggler, method feeder, traditional waggler, and other coarse techniques, often covering several approaches in a single full‑day session. This versatility is valuable for those who want a broad grounding in coarse fishing tackle and tactics rather than focusing only on a single method. Past clients mention that time was divided smoothly between methods, with plenty of opportunity to practise plumbing the depth, shotting patterns, casting and feeding routines until they understood why each step mattered. As a result, anglers often leave with a clear plan for how to apply what they have learned on their own local waters, not just at Bradshaw Hall.

Another notable feature is the emphasis on angling as a positive experience for wellbeing, with dedicated “fishing therapy” sessions aimed at promoting mental health. These sessions are delivered in the same calm, patient style but are structured around relaxation and gentle progress rather than numbers of fish or mastering advanced rigs. For some clients, the quiet surroundings, simple routines and focus on the moment can offer a welcome break from everyday pressures, with the coach adjusting length and timing to suit individual needs. For anyone considering angling as a way to manage stress or anxiety, this makes Improve Your Fishing more than just a technical coaching provider.

Families are well catered for, both through one‑to‑one or small group sessions and through wider events hosted at Bradshaw Hall that introduce children and parents to basic techniques. Wider initiatives in the area show how events at the fishery can be structured so that everything is provided and newcomers are guided through setting up simple gear, casting, striking and landing fish safely. Improve Your Fishing fits neatly into that environment by offering more personalised tuition for those who want to go beyond a taster and build stronger foundations. Parents leaving feedback frequently mention that their children remained engaged throughout the day and left keen to go again, which is not always easy when attention spans are short and the weather is changeable.

The business has built up a strong reputation for customer satisfaction, with clients describing their sessions as enjoyable, informative and good value for money. Many report that they had drifted away from angling and booked a refresher course to update their methods, only to realise how many small habits had crept in that limited their catch rates. The coach’s ability to identify those small details and offer simple changes is regularly mentioned as a benefit, especially for those who already understand the basics of coarse fishing rigs but are not getting consistent results. Repeat bookings and long‑term relationships with some customers suggest that the service does not rely on one‑off novelty but provides ongoing development for committed anglers.

Despite these many positives, there are some practical limitations potential clients should consider. Coaching is delivered by a single instructor, so availability can be restricted at busy times or during peak seasons, and visitors may need to plan ahead to secure preferred dates. As the sessions are based at Bradshaw Hall Fisheries and other waters in the region, those travelling from further afield must be prepared for a journey rather than expecting a local fishery on their doorstep. In poor weather, some aspects of teaching can be more challenging, particularly for younger children, and while clothing and comfort are the responsibility of the visitor, bad conditions may affect concentration and enjoyment. For anglers who already possess very advanced specimen skills, the structured tutorials aimed at beginners and intermediates may feel less essential, though they can still offer value through a second opinion on rigs, baiting strategies and watercraft.

It is also worth noting that Improve Your Fishing is not positioned as a retail outlet, so anyone expecting a large on‑site tackle shop, café or other commercial facilities will not find that here. The service is shaped around one‑to‑one or small‑group tuition on the bank rather than providing a wider leisure complex or holiday‑style package. For many anglers this is a strength, as it keeps attention firmly on tuition and time spent fishing, but others might prefer a venue with additional amenities if non‑angling family members are coming along. Prospective customers should think about what they want from a day on the bank: intensive learning, or a more general day out with a broad range of facilities.

For anyone looking to make quick, meaningful progress in their coarse fishing or carp fishing without wasting money on unsuitable gear, Improve Your Fishing offers a focused coaching‑based option grounded in long professional experience and a well‑stocked fishery. Beginners benefit from being guided step by step through tackle set‑up, safe fish handling and straightforward methods that catch fish consistently, while improvers can refine existing skills and learn modern techniques in a relaxed but structured environment. Although the single‑coach model and location‑specific nature of the service mean it will not suit every schedule or expectation, the consistently positive feedback suggests that those who are able to book a session leave with both improved confidence and a renewed enjoyment of angling.