Children get hooked on fly fishing

A project aimed at keeping youngsters busy over the summer holidays has begun this week with children being given the opportunity to learn how to fish.

Funded by West Rhyl Communities First, and with the assistance of North Wales Police and PACT (Police and Community Trust), twelve children from the area will be attending the Fly Fishing Summer School at the Tan y Mynydd Fishery in Moelfre, Abergele.

Each week the children -- who are all aged between nine and 12-years-old, will be learning how to fish for trout and they will also be engaging with individuals from various organisations including the Fire and Rescue Service, lifeguards and the Rhyl West community wardens -- who will all give an input into the work they carry out in the local community.

PC Alyn Smith, who has been involved with the project said: "This is an excellent example of partnership working and the project will give the kids something different and interesting to do during their summer holidays.

"Their first day has been excellent -- to think that some of the children have never been fishing before, some had already caught some trout during their first hour!"

He added: "If it's successful we would like to roll the scheme out to other areas over the school holidays and give others the opportunity that these children have had."

Community Development Worker for the Rhyl West Communities First, Lindsay Smith said: "This is all about community development. In the past we've found that there isn't much for children to do in the area and this project is great as it not only keeps them busy but they will get to learn a new skill and do something that many of them would not get the chance to experience."

Martin Fowell, Secretary of the Rhyl and St Asaph Angling Club and who is assisting the children throughout the holidays said: "This is an excellent initiative which is giving the youngsters an insight into a sport that they may never have taken part in before.

"Who knows -- they may even enjoy it so much that it will become a hobby for the future for them."

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• North
• Wales
• Police
• Communities
• First
• Rhyl
• Fly
• Fishing