Press Release 7th September 2009
FISHING FOR BEGINNERS IS A GREAT SUCCESS AT ANNAMOE, CO. WICKLOW
On Thursday 3rd September, 23 children from St. Kevin’s Boys National School in Finglas took part in a fisheries awareness day at Annamoe Trout Fishery, Co. Wicklow. The purpose of this event was to introduce beginners to fishing as a recreational activity and it was organised by the Dublin Angling Initiative.
The event kicked off with a talk from Des Chew of the Dublin Angling Initiative on methods, the types of flies, conservation, safety and the types of fish and wildlife found at the fishery. The boys aged 10 to 11 years were divided into groups and a tutor was assigned to each group to instruct the boys on casting and hopefully catching and releasing a fish. They all headed off very enthusiastically to the lake to try and catch some of the hard fighting rainbow trout in Annamoe Trout fishery with dry weather and light winds being favourable fishing conditions.
Children were fishing with the bubble and fly and within the first ten minutes a couple of boys were into fish and Lee Bonnie aged 10, caught his first ever fish! This was followed by Gavin McKenna aged 11, who managed to land a very lively rainbow trout. The excitement was second to none with each boy trying their hardest to catch their first fish. Amidst the untangling of tackle and gear and the shrieks of excitement from the boys, a total of 14 fish were caught and released safely back into Annamoe. The fish were taken on Montana nymph lure patterns, cats whiskers and damsel nymphs. Keith Williams, aged 10 caught the biggest fish of the day weighing in at 5lbs!
Annamoe Trout Fishery provided its fishery free of charge and Alan Doolan, Chris McGregor and Tony Lackey all gave of their time voluntarily for the day. The boys and the teachers were delighted with the fishing and did not want to go home! Ms. Siobhan Moss, Vice Principal from St. Kevin’s Boys national school stated ‘This day at Annamoe was uplifting for all of the boys and it is one that they shall treasure for years to come. Our heartfelt thanks to Brian Nally of Annamoe Trout Fishery, Des Chew and Josie Mahon of the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board and expert tutors – Chris McGregor, Tony Lackey and Alan Doolan.
This event was part of fisheries awareness week organised by the Central and Regional Fisheries Boards. The main purpose of this week was to introduce people to angling and a series of events were held around the country.
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Media enquiries
Josie Mahon
Eastern Regional Fisheries Board
15A Main Street, Blackrock, Co. Dublin.
Tel: 01 278 7022 / 087 6538202
email: josie.mahon@erfb.ie
Website: www.fishingireland.net Email:info@erfb.ie
Fisheries Awareness Week is being held from 29th August – 5th September. Its aim is to introduce more people to angling through a series of events that are being run around the country by the Central and Regional Fisheries Boards. For further information please visit: www.cfb.ie
The Dublin Angling Initiative was set up in 1995. Its principle aims are to promote, develop and improve angling in the Dublin and Greater Dublin area and is sponsored by the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board. During the summer months the main work of the initiative is taking young people from National and Secondary schools, summer projects and youth services throughout Dublin City Centre and its suburbs on fishing courses. Already thousands of young people have been introduced to the joys of sea, coarse and game angling at the venues that are accessible by bus and rail from Dublin City centre.
The Eastern Regional Fisheries Board is a statutory authority whose function is to conserve, develop, protect, manage and promote the inland fisheries and sea angling resources within its jurisdiction. The Region extends from the border in Northern Ireland to South of the Wexford coast and includes all catchments which enter the sea between these boundaries. For further information, please visit www.fishingireland.net