All Things Piscatorial

Countryside Live 2006 (Lee Valley Park Showground)

 

 

“Countryside Live” is a two-day country fair for school children, always a popular event this year saw some 4000 children from 45 schools in the London Boroughs attend.  This was the fourth year that Lee Valley Park had hosted this event, though this year the event was moved to The Lee Valley Park Showground in Waltham Abbey.

 

Covering 1000 acres (400 hectares) on either side of the River Lee between Waltham Abbey (Essex) and Broxbourne (Herts), River Lee Country Park is a unique patchwork of lakes, waterways, green open spaces and countryside areas all linked together by paths, walkways and cycle tracks. The River Lee Country Park abounds with wildlife throughout the year and of special interest, it is best place in the country to see the Bittern, one of the UK’s rarest species of bird.

 

The fishing took place on the River Lee relief channel adjacent to the show ground, which is just downstream of the famous Fishers Green complex.  Working in partnership with a team from the Environment Agency coaching was provided by the team from the National Federation of Anglers (London & South East region).

 

Thursday saw temperatures soar to record levels for September. Although it was hot and bright the children caught steadily throughout the day mainly Roach, Perch and skimmer Bream, though a couple of unseen bigger fish were lost.

 

Most of the children had never been fishing before, but thoroughly enjoyed their coaching sessions and hoped to go again very soon.

                                                       

 

Though on Friday we had rain and lots of it!!

 

This didn’t dampen spirits as most of the school children enjoyed themselves whilst catching a few fish, many for the first time.

 

 

 

Regards

 

Mark Jennings

 

Coach (NFA)

London & South East