Angling clubs go back decades, even centuries, but the Cancer and Pisces Club is something new. It is a club open only to those with cancer, along with their carers. Its purpose is to use the well-documented therapy of fishing to aid those undergoing the trauma of cancer. 

 

Cancer and Pisces, the extremely well received memoir of the late Mick May, was released by Quiller Publishing in 2020. Those of you have read it might recall that it tells the story of his life since diagnosis with a terminal cancer in 2013 and the part his love of fishing had to play until his long and courageous battle ended in March 2022.

 

In January 2021 there was a spin-off when the well-known fishing entrepreneur, coach and guide, Marina Gibson, pitched to Mick the idea of an angling club dedicated to cancer sufferers and their carers; more than that she had already negotiated for the purpose exclusive access to the well-stocked lake at the award-winning Swinton Park Hotel in North Yorkshire. If you’ll forgive the pun, he was hooked, and he and Marina set about recruiting a very small band to make the dream a reality.