Tight lines were the order of the day at a successful youth angling event held in Fermanagh on Saturday, 18th August. Twenty-three enthusiastic youngsters took part in the one-day session at Bird Lake, Brookeborough, facilitated by Recreational Angling Ireland (RAI).
The specifically organised event, tailored in the main for young persons with little or no experience of game fishing, was one of 17 scheduled throughout the 2007 season across Ireland, but is the only one to feature in Northern Ireland.
RAI, for the past four years, has successfully sponsored an angling training programme for beginners where instruction and demonstrations are given by angling experts.
The session at Bird Lake began with a talk to participants on safety, the environment, good waterside manners and specific instruction regarding the surrounding location.
As the day progressed, the children were given the opportunity to get hands-on experience through a fly tying workshop and actual demonstrations on the lake side with supplied rods, tackle and equipment. The more adept anglers even managed to prise out some rainbow trout from the well-stocked waters.
David Browne, RAI Project Manager for Youth Events, praised the efforts of local organisers and reaffirmed the organisation's commitment to developing the skills of young anglers.
He said, "We hope all those who attended today's event go away feeling happy; they have enjoyed the day and above all else have learned something."
Event Co-ordinator and keen angler, Jack Spratt from Enniskillen believes the informative six hour session will only enhance the profile of game angling in the locality.
He said, "This is the first time RAI has held such an event in Fermanagh, on the private estate of Lord Brookeborough. We would consider the day a huge success given the quietness of the area and the fact the youngsters were not disturbed by other anglers."
All participants, on completion, received a certificate and a gift bag of some tackle. Prizewinners, all collecting new rods were Sean O'Neill, Lee Francis, Hannah Spratt, Paddy O'Neill and Stuart Jess. Recipients of reels were Andrew Spratt, Joe McNamara, Patricia O'Neill, Jackie Pincombe and James McCready.
