#Angling - Members of the Boyne Valley Fishing Hub, which comprises clubs along the River Boyne with a focus on developing youth angling, enjoyed a fishing trip to Courtlough Trout Fishery earlier this month.
Some 30 experienced and novice anglers gave and attended lessons on fly fishing in the event, sponsored by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), the Boyne Valley Fishing Hub and Courtlough Trout Fisheries Balbriggan, that was aimed at engaging potential young anglers in the Boyne Valley area.
Conditions on the day were difficult, but all anglers had success catching at least one fish each at the rainbow trout fishery, which consists of four acres of spring-fed lakes.
Topics covered during the fly fishing lessons included set-ups, fly choice and casting. Prizes were awarded at the end of the event to those who were particularly lucky on the day.
The event was facilitated as part of IFI’s Dublin Angling Initiative, which aims to promote, develop and improve angling in the greater Dublin area.
During the summer months, young people from national and secondary schools, summer projects and youth services are taken out on fishing courses.
To date, thousands of young people have been introduced to sea, coarse and game angling and the initiative has been a catalyst in setting up fishing clubs for many of these young people.
“It was fantastic to see so many anglers of different ages from Boyne Valley Fishing Hub take part in this trip," said Dublin Angling Initiative co-ordinator Oisin Cahill.
"Angling can be enjoyed at any age or ability and we are always welcoming young people who might be interested to consider trying it out."
Cahill added that the Dublin Angling Initiative "also engages young people around important issues such as conservation and the protection of our natural resources, which includes our fisheries.
"We hope this learning around biodiversity protection is something that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. We need to start engaging communities on these issues and getting the public out there to see what it is all about is a vital first step.”
For more on the Dublin Angling Initiative, visit www.fisheriesireland.ie or contact Oisin Cahill at [email protected]. For more information on Courtlough Trout Fisheries, contact Garrett on 0872712704. The Boyne Valley Fishing Hub can be found on Facebook HERE.
