Young people, community support officers and volunteers at Broomhill Fishery.
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Thirteen young people from North Ayr have been taking part in a summer of fly fishing fun, thanks to an innovative ten week course run by South Ayrshire Council.
Paul Cuthbert and Andy Galloway, officers from the Community Support Team organised and delivered the project in fly tying and fishing, after holding a similar successful project in Mossblown last year, when most of the young people from that initiative went on to join local fishing clubs and enjoy fishing as a sport.
Paul and Andy were assisted by volunteers Adam Cuthbert and Francis Hainey, both experienced fishermen and experienced fly tiers who helped teach the North Ayr
youngsters how to design, construct and tie flies with exotic names such as the Okey Dokey, Cat's Whisker, Silver Ribbed Black Buzzer and the Orange Blob!
The young people also learned about water safety, casting, knots and fishing etiquette and received a big surprise when well known fly tying expert and fishing author David McPhail also visited the project to share his skills.
A full day of fishing at the Broomhill Fishery took place in July, so the new flies could have an outing and new skills could be put into practice, with the added bonus of two of young people from the Mossblown fly tying project invited to demonstrate their casting and fishing prowess. A second day of fishing has also been organised for August.
It wasn't long before the fish were jumping to snap up the Buzzers, Blobs and Whiskers much to the excitement of the young people.
Twelve year old Declan Cope from Whitletts said: "This has been great and I can't believe I'm here fishing with my own flies. I've had a few good bites already, so I'm hoping to land a big fish soon! One's just jumped out of the water right in front of me!"
Jane McCreadie (13) from Dalmilling added: "The girls were better than the boys at tying the flies and I'm really hoping we can beat them in getting more fish too!"
Jane's words almost came true as Stephanie Kyle (13) led the way and caught three excellent trout on the day, followed by 14 year old Jordan Brown with two fish and Cameron Scott (12), Darryl White (16) and Taylor Johnstone (10) with one fish each.
Councillor Nan McFarlane, Chair of the Community Safety Partnership said: "Once again we have an excellent summer initiative aimed at our young people which teaches them new skills, offers new opportunities to advance themselves and a presents different way to spend their holidays.
"I'm delighted so many girls and boys took part and I commend the forward thinking shown by the owners at Broomhill, volunteers and community support officers who got together and designed a different and very worthwhile initiative."
Paul Cuthbert, community support officer said: "I'm especially pleased for Taylor Johnstone who, at just ten years old, is the youngest person to take part on the course. Not only was he good at tying the flies, he balanced enthusiasm with patience and caught a really nice brown trout."
"All of the young people have had a great time and it builds on the success of what we did in Mossblown last year. I think the girls surprised themselves too and I really have to commend them for their fly tying expertise, which would be a match for many more experienced anglers!"