Eighteen local and visiting children signed up to learn all about the sport from Industry and Investment (NSWFisheries) officers and Fishcare volunteers at the Kids Fishing Workshop at Dunbogan Reserve last Friday. Everything from tying knots to proper catch and release was covered.

“The children practised casting on the reserve with rubber weights before casting into the water,” said local Fisheries officer Lee Burdett on Friday.

“They learned how to measure fish, about bag limits, fish habitat and the rules and regulations. They are all very interested. Some of the children are experienced and others are fishing for the first time here today.”

Jamie Burns, Fisheries education officer, said the main message for the 8 to 14-year-old workshop participants was sustainability.

“We hope to give the children the basic skills and confidence to go fishing and proper catch and release techniques,” Mr Burns said.

The children not only gained a wealth of knowledge on ethical fishing practices but a rod and reel, hat, shirt, tackle kit and showbag of information to take home and educate their families.

Industry and Investment hope to run more kids fishing workshops in future.