Locals ‘Go Fishing’ at Altnahinch

SOMETHING FISHY IS GOING GO. Pictured on Saturday at the DCAL Go Fishing event at Altnahinch Dam are seated Tracy Adams and Teddy Roughan (both from DCAL), standing from left, Martin Conlon, (DCAL), Andrew Bratten, (Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust), Maynard Cousley (NI Water), Sonia Crawford, Ballymoney Counci Countryside Access Officer)l, Stewart Montgomery (DCAL), Rachel Bain,( Bio Diversity Officer Ballymoney Council) and Tiernan McCarry, (Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust).INBM36-14 004SC.

This free family event was one of many events from the Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust’s 2014 Events programme.

The event was hosted by the Causeway Coast & Glens Heritage Trust (CCGHT) and Ballymoney Borough Council in partnership with the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure Inland Fisheries Group (DCAL) and NI Water.

Altnahinch Dam was constructed in 1967 and is one of many picturesque dams owned by NIWater. The Dam is situated within the Antrim Coast and Glens Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) on the edge of Slieveanorra Forest.

HOOK, LINE AND SINKER. Some of those who took part at the Go Fishing event held at Altnahinch Dam organised by DCAL in association with Ballymoney Council and Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust on Saturday.INBM36-14 005SC.

The event was not just for experienced anglers, but those wanting to get started in fishing and families looking for a new fun activity.

Keen enthusiasts young and old attended the event some even travelled from as far as Bangor to take part in this hugely successful event with many leaving with Rainbow or Brown Trout for tea.

On the day DCAL were on hand to offer expert guidance and advice to all anglers.

Andrew Bratton, AONB & WHS Manager with the Causeway Coast & Glens Heritage Trust said: “It was fantastic to have the support of partners to deliver this event. This was the first angling event hosted by CCGHT and due to the excellent response we would be keen to duplicate this within Binevenagh and the Causeway Coast AONBs”

Fishing fanatics cast their lines into Altnahinch Dam. inbm36-14s

A spokesperson from DCAL commented: “These activity days are enhanced when done in conjunction with other agencies, such as Causeway Coast & Glens Heritage Trust, whose clients may be experiencing the DCAL Public Angling Estate for the first time. Such co-operation, on this occasion, enabled many to appreciate the scenic location of the fishery at Altnahinch as well explore angling as a good value for money activity.”

Tiérna Mullan AONB Project Assistant with the Causeway Coast & Glens Heritage Trust thanked all those involved in the organisation including Ballymoney Borough Council, DCAL & NI Water and all those who participated in the event.