KINGFISHER CLUB

Kingfishers off to a Flying Start

The first member has joined the newly formed Kingfisher Club - even before the club has been officially launched!

Club coordinator Mark Casto has been running coaching sessions with young Darcy Palmer who has taken to the sport – well, like a fish to water!

“I had a very rewarding coaching session with young Darcy today” explained Mark.  “This was the fourth lesson of a four-part course on an introduction to pole fishing and he has really worked hard to get his certificate and complete all four lessons.  

“In this last lesson he had to demonstrate all that he had learned and he did really well. I was very proud of him and so was his godfather Lloyd.  

“Darcy was really pleased with himself too and that was such a pleasure for me as his coach to see him making such good progress” enthused Mark.

Following the last session, Darcy was presented with his certificate and Kingfisher club badge as its first member.  If you would like to learn more about coaching at Poringland Lakes, please contact Mark on 01502 476842 (home), 07709 556173 (mobile) or email at thefishwasbig@gmail.com
    

KINGFISHER CLUB

Kingfisher Club Launched

Poringland Lakes has unveiled an exciting new initiative to recruit and retain more youngsters into the sport.

Following the tremendous success of the Family Fishing Fun Days, the junior academy, known as the Kingfisher Club, will be launched next summer, exclusively for youngsters under the age of 16.

Five Saturday morning dates are planned on 20 May, 17 June, 15 July, 19 August and 15 September.  Club members will be expected to attend most sessions.

The sessions will include a variety of practical exercises including the basics of setting up float rings, shotting, tying hooks etc as well as lots of fishing on the lakes.  

All the sessions are to be kept at a basic level to allow for youngsters to gain new skills and for the coaches and volunteers to assess their angling abilities. Further coaching lessons will be available for everyone by booking in with the coaches.

Sessions will be supervised by Angling Trust approved coaches Mark Casto, Eric Peak and Gary Peppercorn, supported by Poringland Lakes’ own Trust-trained fishing champions.  Lakes’ trustee Andy Dewar will coordinate the activities.

Although the new club will be officially launched in the New Year, youngsters interested in joining can express an interest by going on to Poringland Lakes Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/736776893036958/ or by emailing head coach at thefishwasbig@gmail.com.

Junior Club member completes a four part course on Pole fishing

Darcy Palmer proudly holds his certificate for completing the four-part Introduction to Pole fishing course. The course is a beginner friendly introduction to Pole fishing and teaches all you need to know to make a start at Pole fishing.

As a coach, I get a tremendous sense of satisfaction from teaching young anglers like Darcy and I learn just as much from them as they do from me.

Having completed An introduction to Commercial feeder fishing,  An introduction to Feeder fishing on rivers and now the Introduction to Pole fishing, Darcy is keen to do the next in the series An introduction to Float fishing.

Poringland Lakes where I do most of my coaching is starting up a Junior Club called the Kingfishers club. Along with the Family fishing day events, they have planned for next year it looks like a great family series of events and activities. so if your budding young anglers would like to join please contact me for details and check out the Poringland Website for all their activities. www.poringlandlakes.co.uk

Tight Lines
Mark Casto UKCC level 2 Coach.

Young Anglers Welcome improved access

COACHING

Coaching More Popular Than Ever

Coaching at Poringland Lakes is proving more popular than ever. 

Under expert guidance from Angling Trust coaches Mark Casto and Eric Peak, the upsurge in coaching sessions shows no signs of abating.
The latest angler to attend a session, Jason Florey, was delighted with the day and was full of praise for head coach Mark Casto.
“This was my first visit to Poringland Lakes. Really enjoyed it. The fish were really good quality with a good variety” said Jason (pictured).
“My coaching session with Mark was great, learning all about fishing with paste on the pole, something I had never done before. Really looking forward to going again” he added.

Nature Day a Resounding Success  at Poringland Lakes

Today’s nature study and fishing taster session have been widely applauded as a resounding success.  Eleven youngsters between the ages of seven and twelve from Wheatfen Forest School attended the bespoke session, combining nature study and fishing. 

The youngsters were split into two groups, each spending an hour studying the local flora and fauna followed by an hour long introduction to fishing.  Happily, everyone managed to catch at least one fish, some even landing carp of up to four pounds.

The sessions were supervised by personnel from the school supported by Poringland Lakes’ own fishing champions.  Conservation experts Liz Dack and Peter Aspinall were on hand, conducting pond dipping, a nature ramble and answering questions.

Angling Trust level two coach Mark Casto who co-ordinated the visit was thrilled with the event.

“Fishing and conservation have been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember, so being able to pass this knowledge on to the children today was fantastic,” said Mark.  
“Not only that but combining the angling coaching with a nature session, pond dipping and learning all about the beautiful wildlife flowers and fauna at Poringland Lakes was a wonderful way to help these youngsters appreciate and learn about the diversity of nature” he added. 

Liz Dack, who is a well-known volunteer with the Norfolk Wildlife Trust and regularly helps out at the Trust's education and family events, was delighted with the day.

“I think the day went very well and everyone had a good time,” said Liz.

“It was a pleasure to teach children who are really interested and attentive.  They were so interested in everything I told them and asked good constructive questions. 

“They all enjoyed hearing how to tell the difference between a male and female kingfisher.  Even the adults said they would remember it and would now know ‘the lady wears lipstick!” smiled Liz. 

See the full story at http://www.poringlandlakes.co.uk/Events/

Press release

Young anglers benefit from improved access

From:

Environment Agency

First published:

9 August 2016

More people have been able to enjoy river fishing for the first time thanks to a joint partnership project to enhance access.

The Environment Agency, together with the Broads Authority and the Broads Angling Strategy Group (BASG), used rod licence funds to help install 8 angling platforms and 2 disabled accessible pegs at Worlingham on the River Waveney, Norfolk Broads, in 2012.

Since then, Mark Casto, an Angling Trust licensed level 2 coach, has taken on several new recruits to this section of river for coaching sessions, and his latest students Darcy Palmer and Jason Neil have been reaping the benefits.

Darcy, 14, wanted to learn more about fishing a river but told his coach that he was scared as he could not swim. However following a 2-hour coaching session, he admitted his fear had disappeared as he felt safe and secure on the fishing platform, and now can’t wait to try again.

Jason, 21, wanted to learn more about feeder fishing so undertook a coaching session to learn the basics and improve his casting skills. As he is not comfortable in large crowds, he found the experience of fishing at Worlingham “really peaceful and relaxing”.

Mark said: “Improving access and giving local people a safe place to go fishing and providing coaching brings real benefits to the community and local people. Fishing is a wonderful healthy activity and it can be enjoyed by all ages young and old. As an angling coach having such a wonderful place to take people fishing at is brilliant and the pegs are solid and safe to coach from which is a real bonus.”

Steve Lane, fisheries technical specialist for the EA in the East Anglia area, said: “This showcases the benefits of the rod licence-funded work we do to improve access and angling opportunities for all.”

The riverbank at Worlingham was purchased the EA’s predecessor organisation to ensure some of the best fishing in the area was protected and maintained for the benefit of all.

Two of the pegs (areas divided up for fishing) close to the car park have an easy access surface and are wheelchair accessible.

Funding for the materials was provided by the Broads Authority, with the EA funding the construction work.

Improving access for all is among the objectives in the Broads Angling Strategy, a framework set up to sustain and grow angling in the Broads.

To book a coaching lesson with Mark Casto email thefishwasbig@gmail.com or visit his blog www.thefishwasbig.blogspot.co.uk

Visit the Broads Angling Strategy Group’s website www.basgonline.org to find out more about all the places you can go fishing.

Another great family fishing day at Poringland lakes

The series of family fishing days are really taking off with lots of youngsters and their mums and dads taking up fishing for the first time.

I had a great time teaching this family how to fish and mum caught her first Tench and was thrilled to bits.

Poringland Lakes are doing a great job at promoting angling and the family fishing days have become extremely popular for young and old alike.

Great morning with Lee Kerry match fishing legend and his dad Paul Kerry sea fishing master caster

As part of my work with the Broads Angling Strategy group, I was privileged to spend the morning with Preston Innovations very own England international Lee Kerry and his dad Paul Kerry well known for his championship status in the sea angling world.

Lee had come down to see his parents and do a promotional video for the BASG on the mighty river Yare for us.

What a great couple of guys, Lee's enthusiasm for rivers was obvious and he did a great job on the video.

The river Yare is where Lee started his match fishing career so he has a special relationship with it and comes back to Norfolk often to fish this fantastic match fishing venue.

Can't wait to get down there this month and do some fishing myself.

Great morning with Lee Kerry match fishing legend and his dad Paul Kerry sea fishing master caster

As part of my work with the Broads Angling Strategy group, I was privileged to spend the morning with Preston Innovations very own England international Lee Kerry and his dad Paul Kerry well known for his championship status in the sea angling world.

Lee had come down to see his parents and do a promotional video for the BASG on the mighty river Yare for us.

What a great couple of guys, Lee's enthusiasm for rivers was obvious and he did a great job on the video which you can see below.

The river Yare is where Lee started his match fishing career so he has a special relationship with it and comes back to Norfolk often to fish this fantastic match fishing venue.

Can't wait to get down there this month and do some fishing myself.

COACHING
Coaching Pays Dividends

The recently introduced coaching sessions at Poringland Lakes are proving to be a real hit.
Under the guidance of Angling Trust level two coach Mark Casto, the latest ‘trainee’ Adam Bunn had an excellent day’s fishing. 

Making his first ever visit to Poringland Lakes, Adam netted probably 30lb of fish in the three-hour session – and won several envious glances from those struggling in a match on the neighbouring lake. 

As well as a six pound plus carp and several good sized bream, Adam also caught his first ever crucian carp which really delighted him.



“The coaching was excellent. Mark is very patient and gave me no end of tips which I will be putting into practice every time I go fishing now. Catching the Crucian Carp was a real bonus” said Adam.

“I really enjoyed my first visit to Poringland Lakes ”and will definitely be going again” he added enthusiastically. 

If you would like to know more about coaching sessions at Poringland Lakes, please contact Mark Casto on 01502 476840 or email at thefishwasbig@gmail.com See also Mark’s regular blog at www.thefishwasbig.blogspot.co.uk

COACHING NEWS FROM PORINGLAND LAKES

Coaching Scheme Launched at Poringland Lakes

The PCLA has teamed up with two of the region’s top angling coaches to provide coaching at Poringland Lakes
Under the new arrangements, the trustees have offered to make the lakes available to Angling Trust accredited coaches Mark Casto and Eric Peak for coaching sessions.
“We hope local anglers and those from further afield can take advantage of this new partnership,” said lakes’ head bailiff Ray Noble.
“Coaching brings many benefits. Not only will it be delivered in a structured and ‘professional’ way but it will give members and visitors the opportunity to improve their angling skills and help educate youngsters and beginners in the basics including fish handling and welfare. Hopefully, it will attract more people to Poringland Lakes as well” he added.
Explaining the administrative procedures, Ray went on to say “Mark and Eric will make all the arrangements, liaising directly with anglers and reserving peg space.”
Both Mark and Eric are Angling Trust accredited coaches, Mark at level two and Eric level one. They have been vetted by the Angling Trust and the Disclosure Barring Service (DBS), have a first aid certificate and hold civil liability and accident insurance specifically for coaching angling.
Mark was also chairman of the Broads Angling Strategy Group from 2009 to 2013 and was instrumental in putting together the Broads Angling Strategy that covers the whole of the Norfolk Broads. He is currently chairman of the BASG Communications and Education sub-group.
Unlike many other coaches, Mark and Eric are giving their time free of charge. However, there will be a modest cost to cover their expenses including travel, bait etc. As a guide, it is expected a two-hour session will cost in the region of £25 (inclusive of peg fee, bait etc) which represents excellent value for money when compared to other venues who charge £40 plus for a similar session.
For more information about coaching, please contact head coach Mark Casto on 01502 476842 or email at thefishwasbig@gmail.com. See also Mark’s regular blog at www.thefishwasbig.blogspot.co.uk.

Crucian Carp from Poringland Lakes

Lets go fishing all you need to know

Hopefully, you have visited my blog because you want to learn more about fishing and are looking for a qualified angling coach to help you learn more.

If you are just starting out for the first time or you have been fishing before and want to learn more I'm sure I can help you improve your fishing skills and learn some new ones along the way.
I have been fishing for over 50 years and my main areas of interest are Pole fishing Feeder fishing Commercials and general coarse fishing on rivers lakes and commercial waters.

I particularly enjoy fishing on rivers and work closely with the Broads Angling Strategy group to promote the enjoyment of fishing on the Norfolk Broads. Please take a look our website for more information about the BASG www.basgonline.org

My angling coaching is done on a volunteer basis so I would normally only ask for my travel expenses to be met. I can teach you a range of angling skills from complete beginner to advanced level and would normally meet with you or your family to discuss your needs in advance before booking the coaching session with you.

Below you will find a complete list of my coaching qualifications and I am fullyinsured and DBS checked by the angling trust.

Q: WHY DO I NEED A COACH FROM THE ANGLING TRUST?
The Angling Trust as the National Governing Body for angling in England is the only organization that offers a coaching license. This proves to parents, children, groups, organizations, and others that you are appropriately qualified and regularly engage in training in order to maintain the highest possible coaching standards. It also gives them assurance that:
You have met the highest safeguarding standards established and supported by the NSPCC and Child Protection in Sports Unit;
Full and appropriate safeguarding checks have been undertaken and that you have been risk assessed;
A record is kept of any reports of improper behavior that can be shared with others, informing them of any potential risk

So if you are looking to learn more about angling and want a friendly knowledgeable and fully qualified angling coach to help you please get in contact with me and Lets Go Fishing.

 My Coaching Qualifications

UKCC Level 2 Certificate in coaching angling (coarse)

Certificate number: L2CCAO8-09/142409-01

31st July 2009

UKCC Level 1 Certificate in coaching angling (coarse)
Certificate number: L1CC-09/142409-01
27th March 2009

Sports coach UK certificate of completion
Renewal: Safeguarding and Protecting Children relearning course
On 02/03/2016

Sports coach UK certificate of completion
Safeguarding and Protecting Children course
On 20/06/09

Sports coach UK certificate of completion
Safeguarding and Protecting Children
On 19/06/08

First aid training associates certificate for:
Emergency Aid
Emergency first aid for sports coaches
15th March 2016 valid for three year's

First call medical training & solution's
Angling first aid
7th June 2009
Valid for three years

Typhoo Sports for all
Disability Inclusion training course
Six hour course 19/02/10

scUK/How to Coach disabled people in sport
Jan 13th 2010

scUK/ Equity in your coaching
Lyn grove high school Great Yarmouth
1st Dec 2009