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Angling and Autism: How fishing is changing lives
Across the UK, fishing is helping people with autism build confidence, find calm and connect with others
by Aidan Bordiuk |
Updated on5th March 2026 at 8.19pm
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Angling has long been known for its calming influence, but for many people living with autism, time spent by the water can be far more than just a hobby. Increasingly, fishing is being recognised as a powerful way to build confidence, develop social skills and provide a sense of peace that can be hard to find elsewhere.
Over the last few years, angling has increasingly been used by various charities to help those struggling with mental health issues, recovering addicts, and veterans. It therefore stands to reason that fishing and getting people of all demographics outside while giving them something to focus on will only benefit those with neurodivergence.
Angling can provide som much for this with autism
This became very apparent recently after speaking to Samantha William, whose son Reilly was diagnosed with autism at a young age. She explained how he struggles with socialising and other aspects of daily life that many of us take for granted, but that fishing has had a profoundly positive impact on his wellbeing, giving him something to be passionate about.
"My son has always struggled to focus on anything, but this is part of life for those living on the autism spectrum. However it has been astonishing to see just how far he has progressed since finding fishing," she told us.
"He is obsessed with it, and every chance he gets to get out on the bank he takes it. At the moment his passion lies with catching predatory species like pike and perch, and his aim is to keep catching bigger fish and learn every aspect about the tactics so he can improve," she added.
One of the many perch that got Reilly hooked!
However it hasn't been completely plain sailing for him navigating his way through the angling world, as many of us can attest to, the online world of social media can be particularly cruel and derogatory. Amazed with his achievements of catching some pike and perch, he gained the confidence to share them online and was immediately belittled by fellow 'anglers'.
All sports have people who like to be negative, and it seems that’s just the direction the world is heading at times. But for something like angling, which is meant to be inclusive for everyone regardless of skill, and with external challenges such as declining junior uptake, putting people down online for simply trying is disheartening to witness.
“It was really disappointing to see everyone being so negative. When young kids get out on the bank instead of staying indoors on games consoles, and others take the opportunity to berate them for some menial reason, it can be very discouraging — especially for kids with autism,” Samantha explained.
“Thankfully, it hasn’t put him off, and his passion is burning as brightly as ever! He even left at 4am this weekend to try and catch some perch on a local water to us.”
“What I will say is that the anglers we’ve met on the bank have been amazing with him, always taking the time to help with whatever he might need. Just recently, one angler showed him how to catch bigger perch, and since then he has broken his personal best multiple times.”
“Not only that, but he is someone who really struggles to socialise, talk to people he isn’t comfortable with, or navigate crowds. Yet because of the common passion for angling, he is able to strike up conversations and has made new friends on the bank. It is quite incredible to see the transformation,” she added.
One message for any angler suffering online abuse - keep going!
This isn’t the first instance we’ve heard of the positive impact angling can have on the neurodivergent, those struggling with mental health, or people with various disabilities. We know how important it can be, and if you know someone, whether a friend or family member who needs a break, why not introduce them to angling? It won’t solve everything for everyone, but if it makes even the slightest impact, it will have been worth it, as Samantha has found.
If this proves anything, it’s just how powerful angling is and that it’s a sport capable of providing something for everyone. Whether you’re a hardcore carp angler fishing five nights a week or someone who simply needs a break from life to get outside and unwind, fishing is unique in what it can offer.
What isn’t needed, however, is the bullying from the 0.01% who call themselves anglers. Behaviour like that will never recruit new anglers and, if it continues, you have to ask — what is the future of the sport?
The calm fishing provides for those most in need of it is simply incredible at times!
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