IN a week of decidedly mixed weather, Wednesday 28th October offered perfect fishing conditions to a group of young people from “Building Bridges” in Monmouth and their project worker Rio Whittaker to enjoy the majestic surroundings of the Brick Kiln Pool on the Treowen Estate at Dingestow.

This group were “learning to fish” as part of a long term project run by the Monmouth & District Angling Society designed to encourage young and disadvantaged people to discover the joys of fishing.

The group were provided with rods and reels already set up by the club and each guest was shown how to plumb the depth of the pool to provide a picture of bottom of the pool where the bigger fish feed and the depth at which to set up the tackle for float fishing. A range of baits was provided and each guest had the option of using sweetcorn, luncheon meat, maggots, worm or bread. Supported individually by an experienced fisherman it soon became clear which swims and which baits were proving most successful.

By the afternoon, all the guests had hooked and landed the obliging rudd with some guests well into double figures. The largest rudd of the day fell to project worker Rio Whittaker whose catch was proudly displayed by one of her team.

The Brick Kiln pool is stocked with carp, many of which have grown into double figures fish over the years. The team from Building Bridges were keen to catch one of these beauties and one or two rods were set up for just this purpose. However, it fell to experienced M&DAS fisherman and guide on the day Paul James to land a beauty of just over 4 pounds caught on a specialist hair rig. Paul was assisted throughout the day by various members of the group, but Warren is shown holding the fish.

There were no prizes for the best catch of the day but all the youngsters were offered 12 month free membership of the fishing club for 2016. Any young person under the age of 17 in the Monmouth area who contacts the club secretary Peter Brundret between the 1st and 30th November will also receive free membership for 12 months. Free instruction is available for beginners. Peter can be contacted via the club website at www.monmouthfishing.co.uk or by calling 01981 770667.