#Angling - Bring the children and learn all about fishing at the Ireland Angling Show 2013 on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 February at the National Show Centre in Swords, Co Dublin.

Fishing is a fantastic way to spend time with your children where you can learn about the environment, relax together in scenic surroundings while catching fish. At the Dublin Angling Initiative Kids Zone you can learn how to fish - whether you're a beginner, have some experience or have never gone fishing before, this show is for you!

Many of Ireland’s most experienced and well known anglers will be present on the day and will be giving freely of their time, knowledge and expertise.

And as previously reported on Afloat.ie, they will be joined by the likes of journalist Mike Thrussell, Discovery TV presenters Bob Nudd and Henry Gilbey, and champion fly caster Hywel Morgan, as well as professional guide Paddy McDonnell.

The Sealife Centre in Bray will be at the show with their amazing touch pool where you can identify and handle marine fish species, which is great fun for all the family. Inland Fisheries Ireland will also have native fish from our rivers, lakes and canals that you can identify. And following on from last year’s great success, Woodland Falconry will have a variety of some magnificent birds of prey on display.

A rod clinic will be available where you can try casting and learn about the equipment needed to go fishing such as rods and reels. Youngsters will be invited to take part in free interactive games and there will be prizes all weekend long. Children who visit the stand can even learn how to tie their own fly and be in with a chance to win a prize! Plus free fly casting lessons will be available from a professional fly casting instructor all day.

Fishing is a wonderful hobby and there is a wealth of waterways in your local area waiting to be discovered. There are potentially 500,000 people in Ireland who fish or would like an opportunity to fish, so come along and learn everything there is to know about fishing from the experts.

The Dublin Angling Initiative crew are looking forward to meeting you at the stand from 10am-6pm on the Saturday and 10am-5pm on the Sunday.

#ANGLING - Irish Times angling correspondent Derek Evans pays tribute to Des Chew of the Dublin Angling Initiative for his work in bringing "the world of angling to thousands of young people who otherwise would be oblivious of Ireland’s rich angling resource".

It's been a particularly busy 2012 for Chew too, writes Evans, overseeing a series of three-day introductory angling courses that have enrolled more than 300 teenagers from around Dublin to date.

And some 60 of them were expected to test their mettle at the annual DAI trout fishing competition in Aughrim, Co Wicklow at the weekend.

The Irish Times has more on the story HERE.

The Dublin Angling Initiative (DAI) is set to host an introductory course on fly fishing in Dublin next month. 

The event at Corkagh Park in Clondalkin on 5 March hopes to be a first step into the art of fly fishing for young people and their parents.

Renowned fly-casting instructor Paddy McDonnell will also be on hand to demonstrate techniques and hopefully inspire children to take up the sport.

Children taking part must be over 12 and under 16. A limited number of places are still available on the course. For details contact Des Chew at 087 674 0214.

Corkagh Park Fishery hopes to follow this event with a series of angling summer camps. For more visit corkaghparkfishery.ie.

Live fishing lessons for beginners of all ages will be a feature of the 2011 Ireland Angling Expo.

The two-day event on 12-13 February at the National Show Centre in Swords will include a fishing area hosted by the Dublin Angling Initiative aimed at encouraging youngsters to pick up the rod.

There will be workshops and live demonstrations for all skill levels in game, coarse and sea fishing, as well as the art of fly tying. Beginners can also learn the basics of casting and make sense of rods and reels and other equipment. 

For more on the 2011 Ireland Angling Expo visit www.irelandanglingexpo.ie