Two people from the Recreation Youth Centre in Bridgwater showed that with a bit of determination and hard work, an understanding of weights, measures, biology and geography can take angling skills into a whole new league. Both of them attended the Somerset Children's University funded Fishwish Kingfisher Course and both elected to sit the final written exam at the end of it. Both individuals achieved the Kingfish Award and are due to be awarded with a free annual membership to Bridgwater Angling Association.

The course started in November. After originally meeting up at the youth centre, a plan was hatched and over 14 people turned up during the next eight weeks. A rod race was laid down for the most species caught during this time and a 4m whip was offered to anyone that attended the whole of the course.

With the weather turning colder by the day and the nights closing in fast, attention was turned away from Carp fishing so that a better understanding could be gained on winter match and pike fishing. Bridgwater Angling Association granted special permission for the use of the local canal and the private lease holder of Taunton Road Pits showed similar kindness, which really added to the value of the course.

Low clear water made the conditions very difficult, but a full house turned up to try their hand at spinning and dead baiting for pike. None were caught, but some excellent angling resulted in a perch. A second outing to Browners Pond proved to be equally tough, but a refined, subtle and stealthy approach was combined with some careful feeding in the margins which eventually produced some excellent fish to the waggler.

Funding for a further course is now been sought. Those that were formally barred from the youth club are on best behaviour in the hope that they can get onto the next available course. The individuals that achieved the Kingfisher award should be in strong contention for assisting or even leading future angling activities.