Fishing workshop works for Tom Fowler

Tom Fowler hadn’t fished before participating in the workshop but was already planning fishing escapades with his new gear (courtesy of the workshop) before the session had even ended.

Mum Rhonda said Tom then spent three days fishing in the farm dam, not daunted by the lack of a nibble (unsurprisingly, as there are no fish in the dam).

Family friends took pity on him and invited him out to their Sunnyside property which is dissected by Tenterfield Creek. Low and behold within an hour of throwing in his line with a crayfish as bait, he’d hooked an impressive Murray Cod.

“He just loved it,” Mrs Fowler said.

The fish didn’t end up on the dinner plate, but was rather a catch-and-release effort.

Workshop organiser Michael Davey’s philosophy is to introduce the concept of fishing to get kids enjoying the great outdoors and to provide an alternative to screen-based activities. The workshop was supported by Fishcare, Ozfish Unlimited, and NSW Fisheries.

Mr Davey certainly has a convert in Tom, a keen cricketer, who didn’t have any interest in the pastime before attending a cricket workshop at the Bowling Club that was followed by a local recording of the the Hi-Tide fishing show, in which OzFish Unlimited was also involved. Tom was hooked.

Tom’s younger siblings have also taken up the reel-and-rod although not to his extent. Mrs Fowler said the family enjoyed a great afternoon and have discovered a great family activity, with the prospect of a reward for their efforts certainly a bonus.