Disability Fishing

Most people with a disability can participate in hobbies, sports, and recreation as much as any able bodied person. One such pastime is fishing with a disability, whether it's from a bank, pier or boat there are fishing clubs and groups especially for the disabled fisherman.

Perhaps you enjoyed fishing before you became disabled and thought because of your disability, you could never fish, or fish again, or maybe you would like just to try the sport of fishing. In this area of Disabled World we examine disability fishing, what is involved, and places that offer recreational fishing for persons with disabilities.

We will also examine some of the specialized equipment including rods, reels, line, rod holders, and tackle that is now available to aid the disabled angler. For instance there are now easy cast and electric fishing reels for individuals who may have difficulties casting and reeling in a fish. There are also harness rod holder which can mount on a wheelchair or the side of a boat and allow an individual with limited use of their arm(s) to participate in recreational fishing. Pontoon boats can now provide easy accessibility for those in wheelchairs.

We will also take a look at and discuss the merits of joining a disability fishing group, or adaptive angling club in your area as many disability organizations and resources are now available to assist people with disabilities in accessing fishing opportunities in addition to promoting adaptive angling. For instance The Paralyzed Veterans of America  sponsors a variety of fishing tournaments for people with disabilities, and there are disability fishing groups and clubs that cater for children with disabilities who enjoy fishing.

Another disability fishing group in America called Fishing Has No Boundaries, Inc. (FHNB) is a non-profit organization for all persons with disabilities regardless of age, race, gender, or disability, who have opened up the great outdoors for people with disabilities through the world of fishing. FHNB has grown into a National Organization with 23 chapters in 11 states, and enabed thousands of people with disabilities to participate fully in the spirit lifting and morale boosting recreational activity of fishing with a disability.

In the UK 54,000 disabled people hold a fishing license, of whom 1,000 fish competitively and the majority for pleasure. One such disability fishing group, The British Disabled Angling Association (BDAA), was founded in 1996 by Terry Moseley to help develop opportunities for people with disabilities to access the activity of fishing in the UK. The BDAA caters for disabled coarse, specimen, sea and game anglers. Has its own salmon fishing rights on the River Doon in Ayrshire Scotland, offer help for disabled people who want to try specimen angling, sea fishing aboard the adapted catamaran MV Freedom in Weymouth, fly fishing through the Wheelyboat Trust a charity who design and provide specially developed accessible boats and much more.

Disabled World encourages the disabled and newly disabled of all ages to try fishing for the first time or come back into fishing after a disability.

Our topics below cover those looking for clubs or local fishing waters that cater to the disabled fishing enthusiasts. You’ll find information about associations and fishing clubs that offer news and links to tournaments and locations which are disabled friendly. Our fishing with disability articles and information will hopefully provide you with all you need as a beginner or experienced fisher person.

Further Information Regarding Disability Fishing

British Disabled Angling Association Information
British Disabled Angling Association (BDAA) represents disabled people interested in coarse, sea or game fishing opportunities. BDAA works with its partner organizations to develop new and exciting opportunities in angling participation, from grass roots to competition levels.

Accessible Fishing Locations Perth Western Australia
A list of accessible fishing locations in the Swan River and Perth area of Western Australia that provide universal access for people with disabilities.

Disability Fishing Clubs UK
Today there are a number of organizations worldwide that promote angling for disabled people and encourage fisheries to provide suitable access and facilities. This article takes a look at disability fishing locations and clubs in the United Kingdom.