Magnet fisher Sophie Doyle, 32, recovers intriguing, and sometimes terrifying, items from Greater Manchester’s waterways
Sophie Doyle, 32, from Bolton, goes magnet fishing every weekend(Image: Sophie Doyle | MagneticPull2020)
It’s not every day you pull a muddy AK47 assault rifle out of a pond in Manchester. Still, for one woman, it’s really not that unusual either.
Sophie Doyle has been pulling valuable, intriguing, and sometimes terrifying metal objects out of Greater Manchester’s waterways since she took up magnet fishing in 2020. The 32-year-old from Bolton took up the hobby after watching videos posted on YouTube.
As the name suggests, rather than using a hook and a worm or fly to catch fish, magnet fishers use a strong magnet on the end of a line to dredge up magnetic objects hidden beneath canals, lakes, rivers and ponds.
“I instantly knew I would love the hobby and it quickly became a special interest. Magnet fishing is a great way to spend time with family and friends while including exercise,” Sophia said.
Since then, she has unearthed everything from machine guns to cash registers and motorbikes.
Sophie, who goes magnet fishing with family and friends every weekend, says that on a typical day, she finds items such as vapes, bikes, scooters, mobile phones, scaffolding, cash registers, trolleys, and knives.
However, she often encounters more unusual, even dangerous items that need to be reported to the police as soon as they’re discovered. Some of these items include World War Two hand grenades and tank artillery shells.
Sophie holding a recovered tank artillery shell
“These sort of finds require the bomb squad to safely dispose of, often by a controlled explosion in the nearest open field,” said Sophie.
“Myself and fellow magnet fisher, Stephen Smith, found over 300 live shotgun shells, which we got the police to safely dispose of.
“We also found an AK47 Rifle in a fishing pond in Radcliffe. We definitely didn’t expect that!
“You never know what you will find underwater. Every cast will bring up something different.”
The business end of an AK47 that Sophie dredged up in Radcliffe
Sophie said Greater Manchester Police have also contacted her and other magnet fishers to help them find knives and other bladed articles underwater as part of an anti-knife crime operation.
Between them, Sophie says they recovered 29 knives as well as a knuckleduster and an improvised throwing star.
When it comes to the best local places to go magnet fishing, Sophie said: “I love visiting areas which have some history to them, but equally I enjoy places which are built up, like city centres where there are more modern finds.
Sophie Doyle and her team recovering a motorbike
“We find a lot of stolen motorbikes within Greater Manchester which leak oil and fuel into the waterways, so its really great to get these out of the water and back to their owners by reporting them to police”.
She says perseverance is the key to the hobby, adding that the longer you work a particular spot, “the deeper your magnet goes through those layers of history.”
“I love finding historic items,” she says. “I couldn’t believe it when I found a World War Two Sterling submachine gun, it was a moment of shock and disbelief. It was a real achievement and one to tick off the list.”
The muddy WWII Sterling submachine gun recovered by Sophie’s mumWhat kind of equipment do you need?
Sophie was happy to pass on her tips of the trade to anybody wanting to try out the hobby for themselves. To start off, she lists a few things you will need, including a strong magnet, a grappling hook, safety gloves, and plenty of buckets to safely place metals in so they don’t pose a risk to others and wildlife.
Sophie also suggests getting the number of a local scrap metal collector to take all the metals you find and leave the area clean while recycling and supporting a local business.
She also recommends familiarising yourself with up-to-date water safety guidance, taking a charged mobile phone, and not going magnet fishing alone in case of an emergency.
Sophie said her efforts are always appreciated by canoeists and narrow boat users
Sophie says magnet fishing is an enjoyable hobby that also benefits wildlife and waterway users, such as kayakers, canoeists, paddleboarders, and those in narrowboats.
“I always get a big thank you which is really appreciated,” said Sophie.
“Some of the items we find underwater can cause serious injury including thousands of pounds worth of damage to narrowboats.”
What are the legalities of magnet fishing?
Sophie says she and her fellow magnet fishers generally receive praise from supportive locals who see them clearing up their waterways.
Sophie said: “Legally there is an old byelaw about ‘dredging’, however to be enforced, the byelaws would have to go through Parliament, so currently it is only a civil matter.”
The Canal and River Trust officially state that magnet fishing is not permitted. However, Sophie says she has received “nothing but appreciation” from the staff and volunteers on the waterways across the country.
Sophie with her mum Joanne
Adding: “They know that myself and the team leave locations cleaner than when we first arrived, with litter picking involved and fly tips reported to the council. We want to keep everyone happy, so if anybody doesn’t want us nearby we will always change location as to avoid upset or conflict. I seek permission for private locations. We want to make the waterways cleaner and safer for everyone.”
When Sophie mentions her ‘team’, she is talking about a group of fellow magnet fishers made up of friends and family members. It’s a hobby she finds “grounding” – a form of therapy found in being in the moment with friends and the sounds of the water.
Sophie with some of the 300 live shotgun shells she recovered
She says it’s a hobby that’s “quite addictive” once you start, as you can find something completely different on each cast.
“You can go from finding an ironing board to finding a cannon ball within seconds,” says Sophie. And then there’s the camaraderie.
“Every time me and my friends meet up there is always laughter and jokes,” she says.
“One memorable time was when my mum, Joanne Doyle, pulled up a World War Two Webley Mark Six Revolver immediately followed by live Mills 36 Grenade!”
Sophie says she has found several grenades during her magnet fishing adventures
She is keen to point out that once any finds have been deemed not to be dangerous by police, any items of historical significance (such as those covered by the Treasure Act) should immediately be reported to the Portable Antiques Scheme.
“Some magnet fishers upcycle and make art out of their finds which would otherwise be discarded,” she adds.
“However, any firearms must be reported and taken away by the police on scene. Bladed articles should be bagged and placed into your local police stations amnesty bin. Anyone can anonymously use this.”
A recovered gun bagged up to be taken away by police
Now Sophie has her own YouTube channel (MagneticPull2020) that documents her adventures magnet fishing around Greater Manchester and the rest of the UK.
She has also been involved in the BBC One programme Lost and Found in the Lakes, hosted by Helen Skelton.
This series saw Sophie and other experts search the Lake District for lost, treasured possessions, which were then reunited with their owners.
So, for anyone keen on learning more about magnet fishing, Sophie gives this final piece of advice: “I would advise newbies to buddy up, familiarise yourself with water safety guidance, never EVER enter the water, and always leave areas hazard-free and clear of any silt and debris.
“Always call a Scrapper to recycle found metals. Stay safe and enjoy yourself!”
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