Anglers and fishing enthusiasts were delighted to return to the North West Angling Fair for the first time in three years.
The Melvin Sports Complex was swamped at the weekend as the North West Angling Fair made a welcome return to Strabane.
Over 4,000 people attended the event that included demonstrations and tutorials in the sports centre and along the Mourne River.
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Organisers assembled many of the UK’s and Ireland’s greatest fly-dressers, casters and specialists for the two day event.
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Alderman Graham Warke, praised the organisers for the successful event which was being held for a fifth time and the first time in three years.
He said: “The North West Angling Fair was again a fantastic event for anglers and fishing enthusiasts from across the region,” he said. “I’m delighted so many people availed of the opportunity to learn from the world class field of experts who attended.
“The varied programme featured some of the best international fly fishing tackle producers as well as fly tying brands, fishing outfitters, professional casting demonstrations and expert fly fishing tuition.
“I’m delighted we were able to offer the programme to the public for free and I’m particularly pleased so many young people were able to avail of fly tying and casting tuition.”
This year’s programme had an emphasis on the youth element as Council offered angling training and coaching sessions.
The workshops were delivered by experienced and professional coaches from the Foyle River Catchment Outdoor Group CIC (FROG) who were on-hand to train new, novice and experienced young anglers in game, coarse and sea angling.
Short workshops covered casting, fish identification, river invertebrates, bait, lures, fly tying and water safety and enabled participants to achieve the CAST Angling Starter certificate.
Images from the North West Angling Fair are available to view at www.derrystrabane.com/anglingfair and on the What’s On Derry Strabane and Derry City and Strabane District Council Facebook pages.
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