Well.... we asked for 10 students who wanted to try fishing, but hadn't previously had the opportunity. Having briefed the school that we wanted to focus on the social aspects and conservation factors addressed by all anglers with any real passion.
The school called us to say they had been 'inundated by requests' from non-anglers. They may well have been, but we were sent 9 anglers of some experience and one total novice. Our plans were in tatters..or so we thought. We were given 10 students with behavioural issues and their mentor an educational psychologist. No pressure then.... 5 anglers, from work, a first aider, a photographer, our lead manager for the project to do the catering.
Sunday was wet - it rained heavily around Stockton Heath from 0830 until the fishing started at 10.30. The two coaches from Warrington AA, Dean Barlow (from the England squad) and Martin James from the EA suggested we fished 9 pegs one side of the lake and 6 pegs on the side nearest the houses. We arranged the students, aged from 10 - 15 years, one either side of an adult, one fishing a 5m whip and the other fishing a 12ft waggler which they wold exchange at lunch time.
These students were amazing. Not a word out of place, intelligent questions and an eagerness to learn. One young lad, Jordan stopped fishing as I was setting up my rod and pole, he said - I don't fish with stuff this delicate and I'm loving it. Do you mind explaining how you're doing it, because you'd already set the tackle up before we got here'. I told them they were a credit to both themselves and their school.... and told their mentor as much - after I shamed him. One lad asked me why I was wearing sunglasses when it wasn't very sunny. I took a spare pair of Polaroids from my box, and handed them to him. 'Alan - I can see the bottom ...and loads of fish!' 'Exactly, Jordan - I've been watching the fish and putting you in the areas to catch them. Polaroids are really useful. Keep them for next time you go fishing.'
The tutor turned up and shamed himself. 'Jordan, where did you get the sunglasses?'
'I have given them to him, to keep'
'Are you sure?'
'Jordan, hand your glasses to Mr N, and explain how they help, please'
'Sir, they disperse all the glare so you can see through the surface of the water and thus see the fish. Alan called what I'm doing, fishing by sight.'
'Please hand Jordan his glasses, we're fishing in a competition and he's caught the fish of the day so far, and we're close to the team prize...'
Exit Mr N, rather shamefaced- he thought the lad had light-fingered tendencies. Jordan caught a 4lb 10oz mirror shortly afterwards and we managed to get a decent trophy shot - with suitably radiant smile. He followed up with a tench about 14 ozs - a total of 28 fish in a total of 4 hours' fishing. The other lad was far more experienced, and although he caught fewer fish, he caught more weight and his father was a member of a local water, nd Scott was wary of being apart from his parents, so we allowed his father to stay for the first and last hour. It made my lot much easier. Jordan's smile was evidence that a lesson had been learned. I was concerned that he was not enjoying himself as he hadn't smiled all day and even when someone slipped on the wet grass, he didn't laugh. I asked him why he wouldn't join in with the jokes. 'When I laugh and joke, I get into trouble.' I explained that it isn't the laughing and joking which gets you into trouble - it's what you're doing to make you laugh - and not everything you do will cause trouble through enjoying it! I wrote the rules for this competition and I've just written another one - You will regularly show that you're having fun by smiling when you hear your name or the words fish, drink and food!' He obliged.
The two coaches were outstanding - and have both agreed to help sell the idea to expand it in the schools around the area and have some ideas to fine tune things. In fairness, not a thing went wrong. In a note to me, Martin Lames said 'It was brilliant to see the helpers enjoying themselves as miuch as the students. Even you found time to learn a few tricks.'
The tackle companies were amazing, especially Nick at Leeda - he sent 20 x 12ft waggler rods with reels, 10 x 5m whips and 10 x 4m whips. The Bait and Feed company sent about 70kgs of ground bait and particle, Tacklebargains donated line and a load of terminal bits and the local sports shop donated the trophies and medals. Those who know me are aware of my hatred of sponsors' plugs in articles. We've sent a report to Angling Times and Onlineangling.tv (who have given two subscriptions as prizes). This is one of those occasions I'm proud to mention them. Their generosity has helped get the students confident enough to want to fish again - and bring a friend. The great thing is that we managed to underspend on the budget but have been told to hold on to it and it's been increased simply due to the success of the day.
Warrington AA gave us the use of their water for the day, I won't mention it's identity as it was ideal for youngsters to learn on, but is mainly used by members with impaired mobility and is not pressured. They's like to keep it that way - and we'd like to fish it again! Apart from which, the neighbours are unhappy at people actually fishing there, although Warrington took the lake on after the council mis-managed it and the locals don't have any right of say - other than the free use of the footpath around the lake.
Every student received a 4m whip, some rigs, floats, a box of weights, floats, a certificate and a medal. One of my boys, Scott, landed the largest fish of the day - a shade under 5lbs - he won a 12ft waggler, reel, 5m whip, landing net and unhooking mat, a chair and a tackle box. One young lad, Anton, who hadn't fished before, won the largest catch by total weight and numbers of fish - 59 landed (16 were lost!) - he was given an identical prize to Scott. His story - since verified by his father - 'Dad goes fishing, but won't take me with him.' I hope that changes, soon.
Carmel, the programme manager at work is a true friend - she doesn't do fishing, doesn't like fishing, but 'seeing Stubbsy enthusing about it, there's got to be something in it!' - by the end of the afternoon, Steve, the head of the division two of the other helpers work with, had Carmel put a maggot under her tongue, transfer it to a hook which the coaches had shown her how to tie -and in an hour she'd caught 6 fish - and we'd glimpsed the smile that lit up Warrington!
What lessons did we learn?
We were blessed with truly wonderful children and are aware we won't always be so lucky.
Properly motivated, young people are self-policing - we heard words from an older lad to a youngster who was getting a little cheeky. They shook hands and calm was restored.
Many anglers have no time for children fishing. That's to their loss and shame.
We learned that properly planned, even bad weather isn't an obstacle.
I learned how to use a Matchman hook-tyer after 12 years and that my next purchase is a magnetic hook box! (Thanks Martin!)
Fishing a small park lake is really fun - I haven't done it for too long. So I went today to Newsham Park to have another go - and to put into practice the lessons imparted by two of the nicest guys it's been my pleasure to meet.
I'd like to thank you for reading this, as I hope it'll trigger an interest in getting your young people fishing. As an activity, it seems to bring out the inner calm in troubled children. I'm looking forward to the development meetings as we have centres in Bury, Sheffield and Glasgow, and we're visiting them to help get similar events organised for them.
Thanks again.
Alan
