Fishing – young angling project making real strides

Jim Mathew (back row, second from the right) with pupils and representatives of Daiwa at a recent presentation

A number of Lothians anglers – myself included – are members of the United Clyde Angling Protective Association (UCAPA) and secretary Tom McGregor reports that a protect to encourage more young people into the sport is making strides.

Jim Mathew is co-ordinating the project and, in addition to being a fully-qualified coach trained by the Scottish Anglers National Association, is the Youth Development Officer of United Clyde Angling Protective Association. He has been busy and now has four junior clubs under his wing.

During the school holidays he has been taking them to Moffat Fishery to catch trout, albeit on bait. He is setting up an inter-school competition over the summer.

Tackle manufacturer DAIWA have provided Jim with sets of tackle and they have also sponsored the long-awaited trophy for salmon. The rules for this are on the UCAPA website.

A local company, VICAIR, has given UCAP s a donation of £200 to buy equipment which the association can use to promote more junior angling opportunities.

Finally, Bailiffs and Wardens have been out as usual and have found a few sources of pollution on The Clyde.

Tom said: “This has helped us to promote a better working relationship with SEPA and hopefully will improve the quality of the river.”

The picture shows pupils of Dalziel High School receiving gifts of rods and reels from the Wishaw-based company Daiwa Sports. The club is supported by the United Clyde Angling Protective Association.