Gone fishing: Angling is the reel way for men to beat the blues as being out in ... trends now
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It's an age-old pastime made even more popular by the hit TV series starring Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse.
Now new British research shows the relaxing hobby enjoyed by the pair on Gone Fishing is the perfect boost for men's mental health.
Scientists from three UK universities quizzed more than 1,700 men on their hobbies and lifestyle and found regular anglers were 17 per cent less likely to suffer with depression and anxiety.
Experts think the benefits are due to the physical exertion involved in catching fish, as well as regular exposure to so-called 'blue space' - such as rivers and lakes - which has been shown to boost psychological wellbeing.
An estimated 1.25 million people in the UK enjoy spending hours on riverbanks and lake shores in pursuit of their angling hobby.
Regular anglers have been found to be 17 per cent less likely to suffer with depression or anxiety, according to new research. Pictured: An angler fly
