New online course aiming to get more young people involved in fishing

Youth groups are being encouraged to get involved in a new 'Go Fishing' online course which is being provided by Inland Fisheries Ireland in conjunction with Foróige.

Due to the current Covid-19 restrictions, the course is being delivered as a 'blended learning experience' that will involve one online course every week for four weeks, and a local fishing trip for the fifth session to complete the programme.

The fishing field trips for the fifth session can't take place currently, so instead they will happen at some stage in 2021.

Since July, Inland Fisheries' Education and Outreach team have piloted this programme with a number of Foróige groups nationwide.

In late August, Inland Fisheries brought a group of young people from a Foróige group in Donegal for an afternoon of shore fishing at Buncrana beach as part of their fifth session field trip with the programme (see photos above).

Participants learned how to set up a beach casting rod, how to attach a rig using the improved clinch knot, how to bait up using mackerel; razorfish; lug worm; and use bait elastic.

The weather was perfect for fishing and the participants caught some nice-sized dog fish.

At the end of the session, those who took part were presented with 'Go Fishing' goodie bags and certificates of awareness for completing the Foróige 'Go Fishing' with IFI blended learning online course.

"We are delighted to now be able to offer an online course as part of the 'Go Fishing' initiative," said Lorraine O’Donnell, Education and Outreach Officer at Inland Fisheries Ireland.

"Being able to offer the course in an online capacity keeps the programme accessible at the current time and also means we are able to offer the programme to organisations like Foróige.

"We would like to invite any youth groups that would be interested in taking part in the new online course to please email Outreach@fisheriesireland.ie for more information."

Orla Taylor, Youth Worker at Foróige, commented: "Inland Fisheries presented their sessions in an engaging and well organised way, telling stories of catches and experiences they have had.

"This made it very real for the young people. The group loved the experience and are looking forward to trying more fishing."

The four-week online programme is designed for young people between the ages of 12-17 years.

Group numbers for the fishing trip are always in line with the current public health advice, however up to 20 people can partake in the online course.

Participants will learn about Ireland’s inland fisheries and the benefits of angling, the biodiversity of our waterways, becoming a steward of our waterways and the environment, and the basics of angling.

For more information about the programme and if you wish to register a group's interest, email: outreach@fisheriesireland.ie and a local IFI Education and Outreach coordinator will be in contact.