Sort the licence and the permission
Younger children fish without one, and teenagers aged 13 to 16 take the free junior version. A grown-up who fishes beside them is a different case and needs their own, so buy that first; the fishing licence guide explains how. You will also need permission for the water, usually a day ticket.
Try a session first
If you have never fished yourself, a coached session takes the pressure off. The Angling Trust's Get Fishing programme describes beginner events for all ages and abilities, free or low cost, and its map lists licensed coaches near you. Check the event listing for prices.
Look after the fish
Angling Times has plain advice for beginners on caring for fish on the bank. Get an unhooking mat and wet your hands before you touch the fish, because dry hands strip its protective slime. Kneel when holding it, support the body with a cupped hand and keep pressure off the area below the gills. A tired fish should be revived in the water until it kicks away on its own. Children copy what they see, so do it properly in front of them.
Take the photo before the fish leaves the water
Have the camera ready, then make the picture quick. Keep the fish low and wet, and take a handful of frames. Our catch photo guide covers light and framing. A small fish held proudly by a small angler makes a better picture than many a specimen.
Turning a first fish into something to keep
Years later the size will matter less than the grin. Print the photo as it is, or compare a house style in the free preview on the style page, and a first perch or roach goes on the wall. The identification guide helps you name the species for the caption, and a mug makes a smaller keepsake for grandparents.
Craig Fearn runs Scale & Fin, a UK studio that prints anglers' catch photos and fish art to order. He writes the guides here, and every fact in them links to the body that published it.