by Chris Bowman

Last updated at 14:13, Friday, 03 August 2012

Two fantastic family events giving many Cumbrian youngsters their first taste of angling have been taking place.

The first last Wednesday afternoon saw around 25 youngsters take part in a family fishing session at Mossbay Reservoir, Workington. The session at the ‘Resser’ as it is affectionately known locally, was organised by Impact Housing as part of a family fun day with fishing tuition provided by Borderlines. Youngsters caught small perch and roach up to 1lb on whips on a lovely summer’s evening. The weather was in complete contrast to Saturday’s Carlisle Angling Association Junior Anglers’ day on the banks of the River Eden saw around 60 children take part in the free, fun day for those interested in taking up fishing.

But it wasn’t just about catching fish. Rotating around four activities during the day, youngsters learned about safety at the water’s edge, the wealth of plants, invertebrates, fish and wildlife that a clean healthy river system can support. They tried their hand at identifying some of those invertebrates. They also tried their hand at fly tying learning how to tie a fly, they learned how to fly cast and took part in a fly casting competition. They also tried bait fishing and Reuben Williams, nine, landed one of two trout of 1½lb caught during the morning session. The Carlisle Angling Association are to be congratulated for laying on the event as are their committee and members, the Eden Rivers Trust and Borderlines who worked hard to make the day a success.

Although a dinner time deluge put pay to any picnics on the grass this year it did not dampen spirits and it was nice to see so youngsters and their parents enjoying the river in Rickerby Park together. Fishing is an inexpensive sport that can be enjoyed by all the family and once again the CAA Junior Anglers day was a fitting end to Carlisle Love Parks Week.

At Warwick Hall last Thursday, Jack Carrick landed a fly caught 15 pounder in the Coops Stream. The same day John Kitchen fished Crow Wood with the fly and caught a 4lb grilse.

Martin Lee also made contact with a grilse in Crow Wood landing a fly caught five pounder on Saturday.

Further upstream on the same day Adam Spencer landed a four pounder in the Gravel Bed.

On Sunday Paul Ryder landed a 15 pounder on the fly in Jackies.

Monday saw Digby Hodgson land a four pounder in the Rushes on the fly and Mick Burr catch a brace of 11 pounders again on the fly.

Just downstream on the Holmegate beat of the Eden on Monday two fish were hooked simultaneously by husband and wife team Mr Drury and Mrs Gosteloe-Drury. Mrs Gosteloe-Drury’s salmon from the Long Reach was the largest at 10lbs,

Mr Drury’s from the Rocks was 8lb. Both were caught on the fly.

Holmegate reports having had the best opening months to the salmon season since 1988 and rods are still available on 01228 561993.

On Sunday anglers fishing round five of the Carlisle and District Coarse Angling Club’s summer league at Broom Fishery’s Queensberry Lake experienced some rather changeable weather conditions.

The weather couldn’t stop in form Carlisle tackle dealer Peter Wilson, whose 38lb winning net consisted of two carp caught on method feeder tactics together with ide and a few roach caught on the pole.

In second place was Pete Brown with a 23lb bag that included one carp also caught on the method feeder together with ide and roach on the pole.

Steve Dixon’s third placed net of 19lb was made up of pole caught ide and roach plus carp on the method feeder.

Don’t forget that local angling clubs including Carlisle and Penrith Angling Associations and local fisheries and angling related crafts will be running casting and fly tying competitions and other have-a-go activities at the Lowther Game and Country Fair over the weekend of August 11 to 12. Eden Rivers Trust and River Eden and District Fisheries Association will be there to let you know what is going on in the Eden catchment. With adult and junior fly casting clinics, AAPGAI members to get you started in fly casting and improve your skills, demonstrations of fly casting, fishing techniques and fly tying throughout both days there is something for everyone. John Norris of Penrith has donated the outfits for the new distance target competitions for both single and double handed rods. So come on down and join in the fun.

Sunday’s float only match at Whins pond saw Dave Wardman finish first with a 17lb mixed bag on the pole.

Second was Glen Stevens with three bream for 12lb 15oz and third was Tony Harrison who had 12lb 12oz on waggler and sweet corn.

Some 16 anglers braved the wet conditions at Whins pond for Tuesday evening’s King of Whins match.

Tim Gustard used the method feeder on peg 26; after catching a tench and a bream he contacted a carp which gave him a heart stopping fight amongst the weed and marginal bushes.

The fish was around 13lb giving Tim a winning total of 19lb 4oz and his third win in as many weeks. Nick Oliver drew peg 16 and used the ‘method’ finding four bream including on boilie and plastic corn combination, he was second with 16lb 1oz. 13 year old Josh Wardman on peg 9 contacted two of the smaller bream on his worm and corn; his weight of 5lb 15oz was enough for third place. Only two other anglers weighed in, Jeff Whittle with 4lb 1oz for fourth and Paul Price with 2lb 6oz for fifth.

First published at 14:10, Friday, 03 August 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk