26 November 2012

Media Release

Generosity leads to fishing opportunity

The generosity of several local organisations and businesses will culminate tomorrow in 12 students with disabilities, from Christchurch’s Allenvale School, given the opportunity to experience angling for the first time.

“For some of these kids this will be a unique opportunity to experience fishing” says Steve Terry, Field Officer North Canterbury Fish & Game.

Terry also states that it is “…a chance to give some young minds some stimulus and put smiles on faces, these days are always a positive experience for all involved” .

And, according to a spokesperson from Allenvale School, “in the past some of the students have talked about their day out fishing for the next year.”

Three hundred 2 year-old salmon have been released into the fishing lakes at The Groynes for the occasion. The 700 gram salmon were donated by the Salmon Smolt NZ Ltd, as replacement for stock which Fish & Game lost earlier in the year.

“When we heard they had lost some salmon, we just had to help out.” says Karl French, Salmon Smolt NZ Ltd. “We fully support what Fish & Game do, providing youth initiatives where kids get the chance to experience fishing, and learn the skills involved, without heading to the high country.”

Four local businesses (The Complete Angler, Ballinger’s Hunting and Fishing, The Angler’s Loft, Hamills Christchurch) have each sponsored 3 sets of fishing rods and reels for this and other upcoming fish out days.

North Canterbury Fish & Game staff and volunteers will not only be offering one-on-one instruction and encouragement with the angling, but will also show the students how to clean and cook their catch, and the day will conclude with the student ‘catch’ being cooked on the barbeque.

ENDS

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