Discover the fun of fishing at a holiday workshop

Workshops are planned for January at Batemans Bay, Merimbula, Lake Illawarra and Jindabyne over the upcoming Christmas school holiday period.

DPI Education Officer, Stephen Thurstan, said the workshops will provide participants aged between 8 and 14 years the chance to learn basic fishing skills.

"Children attending the workshops will learn about recreational fishing rules, sustainable fishing practices, native and introduced fish species and aquatic habitats," Mr Thurstan said.

"Participants will be taught casting, knot tying, setting up their own rod and reel, and how to play a fish in the morning session.

"In the afternoon, they get to practice those skills when they go fishing.

"After the workshop, the kids will have the skills and equipment to be able to go fishing, which is a great activity to keep them occupied over the school holidays.

"Local Fishcare volunteers will be on hand at each workshop to help the next generation of anglers learn about one of Australia’s favourite pastimes from experienced experts."

Fishing workshops will be held from 10am to 2pm at:

• Batemans Bay, 9 January
• Merimbula, 10 January
• Lake Illawarra, 15 January
• Jindabyne, 18 & 19 January

The fishing workshop program is one of many initiatives implemented by the NSW Government using funds from the NSW Recreational Fishing Trusts to improve fishing opportunities across the State.

Each workshop costs $40 a child, which includes a quality rod and reel, hooksafe, tackle box, shirt, hat and a BBQ lunch.

Parents are encouraged to ensure children participating have plenty of sunscreen, bring along a drink bottle for water and wear enclosed footwear.

Numbers are limited to a maximum of 25 children a day and bookings are essential.

To secure a place please call Stephen Thurstan on 0438 245 190.

For more information on the program, visit the DPI Fishing Workshop web page.

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