I
Ian Cloke
Guest
YOUNG TAKE ANGLING BAIT
08 June 2006
Carp, tench and bream proved the irresistible bait which lured 100 young and disabled anglers to a new public fishing lake at Ivybridge. Herald angling correspondent Mike Millman formally unveiled the Filham Lake site, owned by Ivybridge Town Council, on Sunday.
The grand opening grew into an all-day community event, showcasing the attractions for visitors to the park.
Ivybridge Town Council clerk Lesley Hughes said: "It was a very successful event. All the different agencies that took part were very pleased with the response.
"They had 97 children participate in the free angling opportunity - and the sun shone as well."
Environment Agency expert anglers from as far afield as Hampshire were on hand on the day to give free coaching to the enthusiastic youngsters.
Mr Millman said: "Coarse fishing is the fastest-growing element of all recreational fishing in Britain and there will be more lakes like Filham, and more are needed.
"Plymouth has not been well served by this kind of thing until now.
"The lake has sturdy fishing platforms and has been designed with the needs of disabled anglers very much in mind."
The sheer pressure of so many anglers on a one-acre lake meant that the bigger specimens kept their heads down, but lots of bream and silver fish were caught and carefully returned to the water, the best a fine roach of about 1lb.
The ?70,000 facility, where construction began two years ago, is open to anyone and it can cater for approximately 30 anglers at a time. Day tickets are on sale close by at Ivybridge Post Office or the town clerk's office in the town hall.
The project has been funded by Environment Agency grants and will be managed by Plymouth and District Coarse Angling Club. It ends a four-year mission to create a public fishing lake in or near Plymouth.
Mr Millman added: "It's a great facility for the local people. There's been an absolute need for it and the beauty of it is anybody can use it."
08 June 2006
Carp, tench and bream proved the irresistible bait which lured 100 young and disabled anglers to a new public fishing lake at Ivybridge. Herald angling correspondent Mike Millman formally unveiled the Filham Lake site, owned by Ivybridge Town Council, on Sunday.
The grand opening grew into an all-day community event, showcasing the attractions for visitors to the park.
Ivybridge Town Council clerk Lesley Hughes said: "It was a very successful event. All the different agencies that took part were very pleased with the response.
"They had 97 children participate in the free angling opportunity - and the sun shone as well."
Environment Agency expert anglers from as far afield as Hampshire were on hand on the day to give free coaching to the enthusiastic youngsters.
Mr Millman said: "Coarse fishing is the fastest-growing element of all recreational fishing in Britain and there will be more lakes like Filham, and more are needed.
"Plymouth has not been well served by this kind of thing until now.
"The lake has sturdy fishing platforms and has been designed with the needs of disabled anglers very much in mind."
The sheer pressure of so many anglers on a one-acre lake meant that the bigger specimens kept their heads down, but lots of bream and silver fish were caught and carefully returned to the water, the best a fine roach of about 1lb.
The ?70,000 facility, where construction began two years ago, is open to anyone and it can cater for approximately 30 anglers at a time. Day tickets are on sale close by at Ivybridge Post Office or the town clerk's office in the town hall.
The project has been funded by Environment Agency grants and will be managed by Plymouth and District Coarse Angling Club. It ends a four-year mission to create a public fishing lake in or near Plymouth.
Mr Millman added: "It's a great facility for the local people. There's been an absolute need for it and the beauty of it is anybody can use it."