At just 7 years old, Ella has become a rising star in the fishing community. What began as a family camping trip soon turned into a passion that she now pursues with enthusiasm, skill, and a big smile. With her growing list of catches, her love for nature, and her natural talent for fishing, Ella has impressed anglers far beyond her years. “Fishing just makes me happy—I love being outside, and I love catching big fish!” she says, capturing the simple joy she finds in every cast.
Discovering a New Hobby After Lockdown
Ella’s journey into fishing began during a unique time, as restrictions from the COVID-19 lockdown began to ease and families could finally enjoy the outdoors under careful guidelines. Eager to break the cycle of being indoors, Ella’s dad, Ian, booked a camping trip at Crystal Lakes in Cambridgeshire. When Ian mentioned that the lakes offered carp fishing, Ella and her older brother, Jake, immediately wanted to try. Jake, who had gone fishing with their dad a few years earlier, was excited to teach Ella what he knew, and soon the two were watching fishing videos together, full of anticipation for their first fishing adventure.
Ian helped Ella get the essentials, including a small rod and reel, along with a 3-meter whip just her size. By the time they packed up the car, Ella’s excitement was through the roof. “I remember seeing the fish jump out of the water for the first time,” she recalls. “It was so cool!” Ian set up their rods, and with her favourite bait—Robin Red-flavoured boilies—Ella was ready to make her first catch. When she reeled in her very first carp, it was clear that fishing had stolen her heart. “As soon as I caught that first fish, I wanted to catch another,” she says with a grin.
Bigger Lakes, Bigger Fish: Gaining Confidence and Skill
After several trips to Crystal Lakes, Ella’s skills started to grow, as did her interest in taking on new challenges. Ella and her dad decided to try Float Fish Farm, a larger, multi-lake complex in Farcet, Peterborough. Here, Ella had even more opportunities to improve her technique and to chase bigger fish. She quickly got the hang of casting, reeling, and selecting the right bait, and it didn’t take long for her catches to grow in size.
Then came the day Ella reeled in a 24-pound catfish—a moment that marked a huge step forward in her fishing journey. “The catfish almost pulled me into the water!” she laughs. “Dad had to help a little bit, but we got it!” It was a catch that sparked Ella’s confidence and showed her just how exciting and rewarding fishing could be. “It was the biggest fish I’d ever seen!” she says proudly.
Ian and daughter, Ella
Competing in Junior Matches: A Rising Star
Ella’s skills and dedication didn’t go unnoticed. Chris, one of the owners at Float Fish Farm, had seen her fishing and was impressed by her enthusiasm and talent. He invited her to join their junior fishing matches, giving Ella her first taste of competitive fishing. Excited and a bit nervous, she entered her first competition at Captain Tom’s Lake, where she caught 30 pounds, 6 ounces of fish and won her section. “I didn’t think I could win,” she remembers. “But when they said I did, I was so happy. It made me want to keep fishing even more!”
From there, Ella’s achievements continued to build. At her second competition, she caught 51 pounds, 12 ounces, impressing everyone with her steady hand and focus. But it was her third competition, held on her favourite lake, 2 Islands, that really showcased her talent. Here, Ella caught a whopping 96 pounds, 8 ounces, winning her section and leaving even the most experienced anglers in awe. “When I saw all the fish in my keep net, I couldn’t believe it!” she says with a big smile. “It was the best day ever.” This achievement was a huge boost, proving to Ella that she had what it took to fish among the best.
Ella’s dad would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the two owners of Float Fish Farm, Chris Bell and Jamie Lane, as well as regular anglers Kev Wilmot, Ken Wade, Ted Rowe, and, of course, Toni Catling Bell not forgetting Dale and Elaine. Their support has truly made a difference in the junior matches and has been invaluable to all the young anglers on their fishing journeys.
Ella’s Catch
Big Dreams and Social Media Fame
Now with winter here, Ella’s next goal is to catch a pike, a fish known for its size and strength. “Pike are big and they look kind of scary,” Ella explains, “but I think I can catch one. I’m not afraid!” Her dad has started teaching her new techniques, like using dead bait and spinning, and she’s excited to try her luck with these new skills.
Ella’s family has started sharing her fishing adventures on social media, quickly gathering nearly 2,000 followers on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. Her videos have become popular with other young anglers, some of them nearing 1 million views—a milestone that amazes Ella. “I’m not sure how big a million is,” she laughs, “but I love reading all the comments and seeing other girls like me fishing.” Social media has also connected her with other young anglers, some of whom she hopes to fish with in the future.
Ella Fishing
What Fishing Means to Ella
For Ella, fishing isn’t just about catching big fish; it’s about enjoying nature, learning new skills, and meeting kind people who share her love for the sport. “I just like being outside and catching fish,” she explains. “It’s fun, and everyone is so nice to me at the lake.” Float Fish Farm has become like a second home, with the owners and staff cheering her on. Ben, who works at the shop, has been especially supportive, giving Ella some free fishing gear, including a rod, reel, and keep net, to support her journey.
Ella’s story has inspired other young anglers, especially girls, to try fishing and experience the thrill of the catch. Her family is incredibly proud of her accomplishments, and with each new goal, her passion for fishing only seems to grow. As she takes on new challenges and shares her story, Ella proves that with a big heart, a bit of courage, and the support of her family, anyone can make a splash—even a 7-year-old with dreams as big as the fish she’s catching.
With a supportive family, a welcoming fishing community, and her own love for adventure, Ella’s fishing journey is only just beginning. And as she says herself, “I think I’ll be fishing forever—I just want to keep catching bigger fish!”
A special thanks to Ella and her Dad Ian for sharing their wonderful story with us. Follow Ella on socials here:
Instagram / Facebook / Youtube / TikTok
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