Fishing classes perfect bait for youths

A GROUP of teenagers from one of Limerick’s four regeneration estates are finding new challenges on the banks of the Shannon, thanks to a local initiative.

Twelve boys and girls, aged between 10 and 14, are tackling the great skill of fly fishing, as part of at local Maritime Project in St Mary’s Park.

Veteran angler, Seanie Quinlivan, who is a senior member of the Limerick & District Angler Association, supervises a structured tuition programme which has introduced scores of young people from St Mary’s Park to fly fishing.

As well as introducing local young people to a great recreation, it also helps keep them off the streets, particularly during the long summer holidays.

Seanie, 65, who lives in St Mary’s Park said: “The river flows by St Mary’s Park, so it is a great amenity which can be used by the young people once they learn how to fly fish.”

The newcomers are first given lessons at King’s Island community centre on how to tie a fly.

Seanie said: “We start on the fly tying tuition in October and the lessons are given on two nights a week.”

Equipped with this skill, they are brought to Star Rovers soccer ground where they are coached on how to cast a line on the grass.

And then it’s on to the real thing.

Seanie said: “We bring them to Roscrea stock fishery where there is a pond well stocked with trout. There they learn how to land a trout. Most of the trout are put back.

“This gives them the feel of getting a trout at the end of the line and then landing it. It is great there as they are sure to catch a trout and it is not as difficult as being on the bank of the river.”

The St Mary’s Maritime Project 26ft boat is then used to bring the learner anglers out onto the Shannon.

Seanie said: “We go down the Shannon Estuary and up to Lough Derg and we fish for pike and trout. This experience gives them river-craft, and once they get to grips with the skills they can go down to the river near their own homes in St Mary’s Park and enjoy it like they have never enjoyed it before.

“We must have introduced over 150 young people from St Mary’s Park to angling and most of them are now keen anglers. It is helping keep kids off the street in St Mary’s Park. Once they learn the basic skills and build up confidence they advance from there and get more and more enjoyment from it.”

Seanie said they will enrol a new class of budding anglers next week.

The project gets funding from various agencies including the Limerick Regeneration Board.