2012 Borderlines projects.
Sessions with the Youth Station Fishing Club got under way in January with preparations for both salmon fishing and grayling fishing. Wednesday evenings were spent preparing tackle and as well as taking part in the bait casting league two of those Wednesday evenings involved making and painting Devon minnows.
Saturday 4th February was the day that the Youth Station Fishing Club put their newly painted Devon minnows to the test with a salmon fishing session on the Crosby beat of the river Eden. The day started well with a hard frost but got worse as the day went on with a bitter east wind and then snow and even though those taking part were well protected in Borderlines floatation suits with the snow setting in it was decided end the session early in the afternoon.
On the 8th February Borderlines Glyn Freeman led a fly tying session at the Youth Station as the fishing club members prepared for a winter fly fishing trip to Warwick Hall in pursuit of grayling.
On Wednesday 22nd February youngsters from the Wigton Youth Station Fishing Club braved the elements and a rapidly rising river Eden to take part in a grayling fishing trip with Borderlines at Warwick Hall. The group had previously had to cancel a trip due to the river being in flood and with heavy rain forecast it was looking touch and go as to whether this trip would take place.
But fortunately the weather was kind or perhaps I should say that the expected rain wasn’t as heavy as had been forecast and the river remained just fishable, although getting higher all the time. As for the budding anglers they did very well in the difficult conditions, buffeted as they were by strong winds and despite the coloured and rising river they landed grayling, the occasional out of season brown trout and two dace with Tyler Richardson aged 15 landing the biggest fish of the day a grayling of 1lb 8oz, Tyler also landed a dace and a trout.
During previous sessions at the Youth Station club members have been building knowledge prior to the fishing trip; learning about the graylings habits and life cycle, the tackle and tactics used to fish for them as well as setting up their own float and feeder rods, tying hook lengths and even taking part in a fly tying session. Unfortunately conditions on the day meant that they were unable to try the flies they had tied and the windy conditions even ruled out float fishing with all of the fish being caught using maggot and swim feeder tactics.
On Thursday 23rd February Borderlines visited Greystoke School for a freshwater life session as well as been introduced to the water cycle, plants and invertebrates, the Year 5/6 children also began learning about rivers.
On Thursday 1st March it was freshwater fish day for the pupils at Greystoke School,
As well as learning about the life cycles of fish, the youngsters got the chance to take a closer look at minnows, sticklebacks and stoneloach in the classroom.
Wednesday 7th March, a field trip to the stream and pond within the castle grounds. Two groups learned how to kick sample the stream bed for invertabrate life and score how healthy the water really is. On the day there were large stonefly, mayfly of several species and caddis discovered, a very high score was recorded showing a pristine environment.
Chris also took a group for a river walk to show the effects of errosion, deposition, meanders and flow measurements.
A very enthusiastic group, great teachers and an absolute pleasure to be with.
For the last two Wednesday evening sessions at the Wigton Youth station, everyone has been busy learning about the tides, flounders, safety on the shoreline, tackle, tactics and bait as well as preparing rigs for the flounder fishing on the Solway firth.
There was a big tide but for once
the weather was kind and there were fish caught.
Although the flounders weren't exactly on a feeding frenzy, four anglers did catch fish, two of whom landed a brace each and everyone enjoyed the session.
Thanks once again to Angela and Tracey for organising transport and making sure everyone got there and back safe and sound.
Having had a taste of sea fishing it is planned
to do some more during the summer months as part
of the Fishing for Fun project, in the mean time.
However with some Easter pike fishing trips coming up, Wednesday evenings are going to be filled
with wire trace making and all manner of predator fishing preparations.
Projects - 2006 - 2007 - 2008 - 2009 - 2010 - 2011
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