Ardstraw fishing club hoping to hook some new young members

ARDSTRAW Community Angling Club will this evening launch a series of free coaching sessions aimed at encouraging young people in the area to take up the sport of fishing.

The three-week programme is being run in partnership with the Foyle River-Catchment Outdoor Group (FROG CiC), led by Damien Devine. Open to young people aged 8–16, the course will provide expert, professional guidance on everything from maintaining equipment and fitting lines and hooks, to mastering the best techniques for catching fish.

Explaining how the initiative came about, Club chairman Colin Duncan said: “We came up with the idea at a recent committee meeting as part of a three-year plan to get young people involved in fishing, which is a great pastime. We contacted Damien at FROG, who was only too happy to help, and we’ve also received backing from the Loughs Agency for the course.

“The idea was to get young people more involved in outdoor activities and to highlight the health benefits that come with being outside and away from computer, phone and television screens – which so many young people are glued to these days. So far, we’ve had a lot of interest.”

Colin also noted that youth membership of the club has been steadily growing in recent years, and the classes are an important way of building on that momentum.

“The average age of our membership is 60, and none of us are getting any younger,” he said. “New blood is needed – and very welcome – to secure the club’s future.”

The classes will be held over three consecutive Tuesdays, beginning this evening from 7pm to 8.30pm at Ardstraw Jubilee Primary School. Admission is free, and anyone interested in taking part can contact Colin on 07751 368001.