Flyyak - Fly Fishing and Kayaking skills as part of a new sporting initiative
Pupils from Robert Blake School in Bridgwater and Blundell School in Tiverton enjoyed a fun filled day (28th June) learning Fly Fishing and Kayaking skills as part of a new sporting initiative “FLYYAK”. This multi partner initiative was supported by the Angling Development Board, Angling Trust, Canoe England, South West Lakes Trust and the Environment Agency.
The pupils arrived bright and early at the beautiful surroundings of the South West Lakes Trust Wimbleball Lake Country Park.
22 students were split into two groups, each to have an hour’s fly fishing tuition and kayaking, the two groups then switched over to learn the other skill. Having now mastered the individual skills of fly fishing and kayaking it was time for a BBQ lunch with some rainbow trout caught earlier in the day. Once everyone was refreshed, they were paired up and given a two person kayak, a fly rod, and a paddle, the pupils then had an amazing afternoon of exploration on Wimbleball Lake searching out those quiet spots where they could use the casting skills to try and catch that big one.
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Unfortunately, the fish were not playing, there were a few nibbles but no one managed to catch anything. Nevertheless, all the participants involved had an amazing day, they all said they would love to come back and have another day fly fishing and kayaking, so look’s like we have a group of young people who have been bitten by the “FLYYAK”ing bug. |
Comments from partners involved:
Dean Sandford from the Angling Development Board (South West)
“the day has been an amazing success and I would like to thank the Environment Agency for helping to fund this initial pilot project which will hopefully be the first of many multi partner events within the South West region throughout the rest of the year and beyond”.
For further information on angling development please contact Dean on: dean.sandford@anglingdevelopmentboard.org.uk
Andy Davey from Canoe England (South West)
“it is fantastic to see so many young people enjoying the day a float” and went onto say “it’s great to be able to offer schools an innovative project that covers two sports for the price of one, especially within these challenging financial times”.
For further paddle sports development information please contact Andy on: andy.davey@canoe-england.org.uk
John Dawson level 2 game angling coach
“I have really enjoyed teaching these potential new participants to our wonderful sport and I think the two sports really complement each other”.
Contact John on www.johndawson.co.uk
Darryl Birch the South West Lakes Trust Exmoor and Wimbelball Lake manager
“The pupils from both schools have had a brilliant time” he then went on to say that a Flyyak competition will be held for competent game anglers at the upcoming LakesFest 2010 being held at the venue on the 14th to the 18th July as part of the celebrations for the 10 years anniversary of the South West Lakes Trust and partners on Exmoor, for further information please see: www.swlakestrust.org.uk/10years/lakefest2010
