A new fishing group is helping people improve their mental health in West Cumbria.
Tight Lines and Sound Minds has been helping both men and women better themselves through fishing for the past four months.
Set up by Alex Hinde, 29, of Whitehaven, who is a mental health support worker, the group was inspired by his own love of fishing as well as his personal and working life experiences with mental health.
He said: “It all came to be because when I was a bit younger, as most West Cumbrian lads do, you take it a bit too far with partying and it was just one thing after the other and I was just on a really bad path essentially.
“I remember one day I just thought I wanted to take fishing back up. I had really enjoyed doing it as a kid and found it a bit addictive, and I ended up bringing my friends back into it.
“For years we’d say ‘oh we should start a group’, we never did, but last year I just decided I was going to go for it, so I created Tight Lines and Sound Minds.
“I think it was mainly because I’ve seen the seriousness of mental health here working in it for four years and the positivity of fishing and what it can do for people.”
All of the fishing sessions Alex organises are free and set up via a Facebook group that keeps everyone interested in the loop.
Sessions typically take place once a week on weekends at Whitehaven pier and can last from three to six hours depending on tides, sea and weather conditions.
No prior experience is needed and first timers can borrow equipment.
Alex is supported by friends and fellow group facilitators Joe Mills and Jack Beech, who also help teach beginners the ropes.
He added: “We can take people out fishing for six to eight hours and the positive impact it is having is absolutely insane.
“It’s really good for people with addiction as you’re chasing a different kind of dragon and it helps a lot with isolation, as it gets you out communicating and talking, a lot of time we’re just sat having a laugh with each other.
“There’s literally no pressure to it either. We’ve had between eight to 17 people come along and people can come for one or two sessions and then come back in summer, it’s completely open.
“It’s for all ages too, but anyone under 18 needs to come with an adult and we take people out with absolutely zero experience.
“We had a guy join about two weeks ago and he just fell head over heels for fishing. He’s not got his own rod, reel and waders and he looks like a proper Christmas card fisherman, it’s absolutely brilliant.
“We’ve done that for a few people and it’s changed their lives so much, it’s just so good for mental health to get out there and do something in nature.”
Alex said that he believes fishing gives people the chance to switch off from personal struggles and the pressures of daily life.
He added: “What I’ve realised with fishing is wherever you are and whatever type of fishing you’re doing, you are only focused on the rod biting, there is nothing else on your mind.
“As soon as you start getting bites, you really focus and lock on and you’re not thinking about debt, lost family or a lost job, you’re not thinking about anything that can cause depression or anxiety, you’re just there and in the moment.
“It switches people off for a good amount of time. I use it as a mental reset and I go once a week, just to make sure I’ve got my head in check.
“We have a lot of good banter as well, I’ve never had a session where I haven’t had sore sides after from laughing and I genuinely mean that
“We also have both lads and lasses come down, mental health affects everybody regardless of gender and we’re there to get people’s mental health into a better situation.”
Alex said a typical session will see the group meet at either The Edge or Matt’s Bait and Tackle shop on the harbour, before collectively heading to the pier.
The group also venture towards Silloth for sessions outside of Whitehaven and are planning to host more beach fishing sessions in the summer months.
He added: “We’re like a stepping stone for people. There are a lot of fishing clubs around here, but a lot are competitive, we’re not at all.
“We take people in and say we will teach you to fish, lend you the rods and reels and then when you’re ready, you can buy your own if you want to.
“Turning up to the pier for the first time is like turning up to the gym for the first time and trying to bench press. You can feel like a muppet and your anxiety can get bad and you think I’ve mucked it up here, I’m never coming back.
“That’s where we come in and say here we’ll show you what to do and how to do it, we’re not pros by any means, but we know the basics and can fish anywhere we want.
“The one message I want to get out to the world is you’d be surprised at how easy it is to fish.”
Alex said the group’s success so far is all down to the people who help run it, support it and who are part of it.
He added: “We wouldn’t have a club if it wasn’t for Matt’s Bait and Tackle, he helps with everything from rigs to baits and general knowledge of the fish in the area.
“I remember when I set up the group and it gained some traction, my mate Joe said to me in the tackle shop he’d give me a hand and then before I knew it he’d got in touch with Jack and we had two facilitators.
“They completely put their heads to it and we’ve had people turn up and put money into the club donation jar to help with little stuff we need.
“But we’re all passionate about it because a lot of the lads and lasses know what it’s like to have a hard time.
“It brings my incredible personal joy to do it because I know it’s going to get someone out of a hole that I’ve been in.”
You can find out more about Tight Lines and Sound Minds here.
