On Friday 2nd of May 2014 a group of 10 Woodham Academy students were invited to West House Lakes near Bishopton as part of the Fishing for Schools project run by fly-fishing coach Tom Carrol.
The 10 students, none with previous experience, were selected from their work they had carried out in a previous eco-project. The students received a full day’s tuition in the classroom where they discussed the health and safety aspects, basic technique, the science of entomology and the art of tying their own flies.
The students then travelled to Bishopton for a full days’ practical fishing on the lake. After a brief introduction the students were soon fishing and only an hour later the first catch of the day came from Darren Owens in the form of a 3lb rainbow trout. The students all had a fantastic day and developed new skills that they will keep forever.
Stewart Dark, Year 10, said “ The day was fantastic. Not only did we learn new skills such as casting and tying knots, but we also learned to be patient and work independently”. Jordan Fish said, “It was excellent. I want to buy my own fishing rod and visit on a regular basis. I never realised that it would be so enjoyable and that you would have to learn lots of new stuff”. The school has worked with Tom’s company “Fishing with Tom” on many occasions and hopes to continue to do so in the future.
