Something smells fishy!

A number of students from Bridge College participated in a two day pilot ‘An introduction to fishing’. This is the only fishing course specifically designed with young adults with learning difficulties in mind and could lead to the course being nationally released through the ASDAN framework in the future.

The course is funded by The Countryside Alliance and is driven by the government-led scheme called ‘Education Outside the Classroom’. It is spearheaded by Charles Jardine, well known internationally as an angling instructor, author, artist and demonstrator with a fishing rod. This was a fabulous opportunity to learn from the best in the business whilst enjoying fishing and all it has to offer. The first day was an introduction to fishing with lots of fishing-related activities, fishy games, a Q & A session, fishing equipment to explore and the promise of a day’s fishing the very next day.

On day two the group travelled to a lake in Chorley where they were met by a team from the Prince Albert Angling Association (PAAA). Each student was paired with a member of staff and a PAAA member and they started fishing. It wasn’t long until a call went out for Rod Young (our photographer on the day) to photograph the first fish! For two and a half hours fish after fish were caught. By the end of the day all the students had caught up to 20 fish each! They were all returned unharmed to the water and all the students were overjoyed by catching so many.

The day would not have been such a success if it wasn’t for the help of Charles Jardine, Rod Young, Phil Douglas and members from the Prince Albert Angling Association. From all the students and staff, THANK YOU!! You are a credit to the wonderful sport of fishing and the Prince Albert Angling Association.