Thursday 14 February 2013

Grayling day with Petteril Bank Youth Club

Youngsters from Petteril Bank Youth Club enjoyed some half term fishing fun thanks to the Co-op on Tuesday. The project called Carlisle Fishing for Knowledge was organised and run by Borderlines and as well as teaching young people how to fish, the projects aim was to reconnect young people with their freshwater environment. With three rivers running through the City practically every child in Carlisle lives close to a watercourse of some sort but very few children nowadays explore this environment. 

Thanks to funding from the Co-op and assistance from Carlisle Youth Zone, the Carlisle Angling Association, Petteril Bank Youth Club and Nick Mariner at Warwick Hall, 45 children from different wards within the City have been given the opportunity to do just that by Borderlines. The sessions started at the Carlisle Youth Zone in September and continued into November. Sessions at Petteril Bank Youth Club started in November and continued into December. Those taking part in the sessions have learned about the water cycle, rivers and been given an insight into what fish feed upon in their natural environment.

They have also taken a closer look at the fish themselves, how they live, breathe and function and how the angler can use this knowledge to his advantage. They have looked at fishing history, how angling as we know it came into being, how tackle has developed over the years and how it contributes to the local economy. They have learned how to tie on a hook and use other fishing tackle before practising bait casting and learning how to cast a fly they have also been introduced to some of the rules and regulations involved and licences needed before going fishing. Participants also tried their hands at fly tying and took part in fly and bait casting competitions and were given the chance to put all their newly acquired skills together during a final fishing session on the River Eden. 

The Petteril Bank youngsters should have taken part in their final fishing trip on the 27th December however with the river Eden threatening to burst its banks that day because of the excessive rainfall the session had to be postponed for safety reasons and a date was rearranged for the February Half Term holidays. 

So with the river running nice and clear on Tuesday Nathan Doyle aged 16 got the Petteril Bank fishing session off to a flying start by catching the first fish of the day; a 1lb grayling, just minutes after casting in. Shortly afterwards Nathan hooked into a second slightly bigger grayling and while he was playing that fish Scott Clarkson aged 16 fishing slightly upstream hooked his first of the day and so the day went on. 

Conditions were cold but everyone taking part caught fish, mainly grayling but one or two out of season brown trout were also caught and quickly returned.Many of the youngsters caught their first ever fish; Courtney Paterson aged 13 landed the best fish of the day a splendid grayling approaching 2lb. 

The Co-op is to be congratulated for making this all possible.

Sunday 11 March 2012

Soway Firth Wigton Youth Station.

For the last two Wednesday's evening sessions at the Wigton Youth Station everyone has been busy learning about the flounder, tides, safety along the shoreline, tackle, tactics and bait as well as preparing rigs for today's flounder fishing session on the Solway Firth. 

There was a big tide but for once the weather was kind and there were fish caught. Although the flounders weren't exactly on a feeding frenzy, four anglers did catch fish, two of whom landed a brace each and everyone enjoyed the session.

Thanks once again to Angela and Tracy for organising transport and making sure everyone got there and back safe and sound.

Happy days!

Thursday 8 March 2012

Greystoke school 7th March.

As always a very enjoyable couple of sessions with Greystoke school within the beautiful surroundings of the castle and woodlands.
Borderlines were working with two groups in the morning and afternoon both pond and stream dipping with the youngsters to see what lived there. It is always a pleasure to work with enthusiastic teachers and pupils.
There were some fine specimens discovered, large stonefly, mayfly and caddis. The stream scored very highly indicating that it was in perfect health, there were also some immature trout with egg sacs.
All very well behaved and an absolute pleasure to be with.

Wigton Youth Station at Warwick Hall with Borderlines 22nd February.

It was a little draughty today on the river to say the least, with the gale force winds and a little rain it was not the most inviting of places to be. But nine enthusiastic lads turned up at Warwick hall today from the Wigton Youth Station and did a fantastic job, all caught fish and there were some nice grayling up to around the pound and a half mark.
The river was on the rise from rain the night before.

First fish first time out!
A good average grayling for the Eden.
A nice fish.
And another (first ever)
The very rare nowadays dace.
A big thank you to Tracey and Angela for organising the day.