Wet weather could not dampen spirits at the Fishing for Schools eastern region's open day

Despite strong wind and rain, two tents being blown over in the early hours of the morning, and a power cut, 40 children from six local primary and secondary schools enjoyed a fabulous day of angling activities at the Fishing for Schools eastern region's open day on 5 October, at Lenwade, near Norwich.

This was the third annual open day at the same venue - providing learning opportunities to a wide range of young people of all abilities in a peaceful waterside setting.

The successful outdoor event was held by kind permission of the Lenwade Pike Club members and was a taster session of the eastern region's educational programme, which has been operating in local schools since May 2016.

Activities on the day included:

• Fly fishing, with coaches Mike Smith and Jim Gill


• Rig making, with Chris Oakley, Glen Hales and David Burnley


• Knots, with Tony Hull of the Norfolk and Suffolk Flyfishers and Albert High


• Entomology, with Glenn Wiseman of the Norfolk Rivers Trust


• Coarse fishing with members of Lenwade Pike Club


• Cookery with Charles Jardine, director of Fishing for Schools


• Fly tying with Richard Slaughter, Steve Beckham, Terry Lawton and Dave Pitchers.


• A carp fishing masterclass from Hassan Khan from local fishing industry giant Angling Direct