AS part of an ongoing project run by Monmouth and District Angling Society to encourage young and disadvantaged anglers into the sport, August saw two parties of enthusiastic youngsters given the opportunity to try their hand at fishing.

For many of these young people it was their first opportunity to try fishing, made even more exciting as everyone attending caught fish.

The youngsters were treated to a full day’s fishing on the brick kiln pool on the Treowen Estate at Dingestow. Each individual was provided with his own full set of tackle and received expert ‘one to one’ guidance and tuition from a club member on all aspects of fishing, from setting up the tackle to landing that prized fish. The pool contains both rudd and carp and has recently been re-stocked with carp.

Several of the club’s committee members were on hand to coach and supervise the group and they were soon confident enough to make their first casts of the day. It wasn’t long before they started catching several obliging rudd that fell to simple float fishing tactics.

For some of the beginners it was the first time they had handled a fish and they were shown the importance of fish care and how to return them safely.

Project worker Rio Whittaker from Building Bridges was amazed at the level of concentration and application evident from all in her group, with the first rudd being caught almost immediately after the fishing started and group member Gregg winning the day with a nice carp in the afternoon.

The group of anglers from the ATTYK youth centre under the care of project leader Darryl White all had a successful day and learnt new and useful skills. All agreed it was a day well spent and more are planned.

This on-going project is run by the Monmouth Angling Society and any youngster or group who would like to participate in future events should contact The Monmouth and District Angling Society via their website www.monmouthfishing.co.uk or contact Peter Brundret the honorary secretary on 07791 248868.