On July the 18th, in partnership with Keynsham
Angling Association (KAA) and the Environment Agency (EA), Fishwish
provided a 'Learn to Fish' event for the public at Keynsham Memorial
Park, using the free stretch of the River Chew, delivering private
one to one coaching and taster sessions throughout the day.
The weather was favourable and thanks to the
very helpful support of Environment Agency staff, Keynsham Angling
Association, volunteers, Bathampton Angling Assocation and ADB licensed
coaches, over 100 members of the public were able to try their hands
at angling for free. The majority of participants were completely
new to angling, though a few used the opportunity to build on their
limited knowlege and experience as pleasure anglers.
Everyone caught at least one fish and a tank
was in place at the marquee to show the fantastic diversity of fish
species that inhabit the river. One of the many highlights of the
day was the fact that so many of young people using that use the park
for skating and cycling decided to give angling a go. A number of
these went on to fish well after the event had finished, using whips
donated by the EA and some generous assistance from the volunteers
on the KAA tent. There was also considerable interest from adults
and a number of people, young and old, decided to become members of
Keynsham Angling Assocation.
The event caught the attention of the local councellor,
youth club and PCSO and there was strong support for the event to
repeated again in 2010.
A stroll through the park the following week
provided real proof that the event had been a success since a number
of participants had decided to return to the normally quiet bankside
with friends and family sharing pleasure in their new found sport.
The following report was written
by Keynsham Angling Association...
Keynsham angling association would like
to thank Charlie Halliday at Fishwish for organizing the Learn To
Fish event in the Memorial Park on Saturday 18th of July and for asking
the club to be a part of the event which was a great success. The
event was organized in association with Keynsham Angling Association
and sponsored by the Environment Agency with Angling Development Board
licensed coaches present.
Adults, juniors and disabled members of the public had the chance
to try fishing for free. The event started at 9:00am and a constant
flow of juniors and adults fishing for the first time, kept the 7
qualified angling coaches busy throughout the day. Fish were caught
by everyone during the day and several people joined Keynsham Angling
Association after finding out they would like to take up the sport
of angling.
The president of Keynsham Angling Association Rich Denning looks on
as his grandson has a lesson with one of the seven coaches (left)
Members joining Keynsham AA on the day were also entered into a prize
draw with a chance of winning a complete fishing kit, the draw was
made at 4:30pm and the winning membership number was 0222. Our congratulations
go to Joshua Tarrant who was the winner of a Daiwa fishing kit.
