#ANGLING - 'Gone fishing' is where Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) wants you to be during Fisheries Awareness Week from tomorrow 12 to 20 May.
Full details of events taking place country-wide for Fisheries Awareness Week are available on FAW.ie. Most events are free and with so much going on and there is sure to be something happening near you.
Something else that's free for the week is your fishing permit. Minister of State for Natural Resources Fergus O'Dowd announced on Tuesday that the permit fee is waived for angling on Inland Fisheries Ireland's trout and coarse permitted fisheries during Fishing Awareness Week.
The minister noted that "recreational fishing in Ireland is often a shared family or group activity, contributing to community cohesion and development. It also provides benefits through its outdoor, physical nature for individuals, and brings a shared responsibility of our fisheries resources."
Encouraging everyone to get involved, IFI head of business Suzanne Campion said: "This is a great opportunity to try fishing. There is old fishing gear lying in the back of sheds all around the country and now is the time to dust it off and get together with friends and family for a fun day's fishing."
Fisheries Awareness Week events include balsam bashes, fly-tying and sea, pike, coarse and game angling. And with 70 events taking place in 22 counties, there is plenty of choice and opportunity.
