Angling Fair successfully connects with young people and women
4 April 2023
Thousands of people attended the Melvin Sports Complex in Strabane at the weekend for the annual North West Angling Fair. The event hosted a wide range of casting demonstrations, expert talks, art and trade stands, family activities as well as a number of initiatives specifically targeted at attracting young people and women to the sport. The event was hosted by Derry City and Strabane District Council in partnership with the Loughs Agency and featured a host of the UK and Ireland’s top fly dressers, casters and angling specialists. Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Sandra Duffy, officially opened the two day event on Saturday. “It was brilliant sight to see internationally renowned fly dressers exhibiting their craft and champion fly casters demonstrating their skills on the banks of the Mourne,” she said. “The Main Hall in the Melvin had a great variety of stalls and stands and was a great opportunity for traders to showcase their products to new customers. “Every level of angler from experienced to first timers were catered for and it was particularly pleasing to see so many young people involved in the Fly Tyers Row initiative and women attending the Ladies Angling initiative. . Casting demonstrations on the Mourne were hosted by Tom Brown, Hywel Morgan, Scott MacKenzie, Mark Patterson, Conor Arnold, Ian Gamble and Pauline McClenaghan. Local specialists Ian Gamble and Pauline McClenaghan hosted a Casting Clinic on both days suitable for beginners and improvers. A wide range of fly tyers demonstrated their art and techniques with a group of talented local young fly tyers showcasing their skills and talents.