LAST week saw the third annual fly fishing fun day, for young anglers to have a go at the sport, held at the Exe Valley Fishery at Exebridge.

Some 22 boys and girls aged from 11 to 15 enjoyed a day of tuition and catching fish, and over 30 rainbow trout were landed despite many of the young anglers not having fished before.

Tuition was provided by local coaches registered with the Angling Trust and by expert anglers.

The day included a look at the insects and other river life which inhabit the River Exe and ended with awards of certificates and prizes.

Henry Carless from South Molton won a full fly box, donated by Nick Hart of Exe Valley Fishery, for the first fish of the day, and other prizes went to Alexander White from Tiverton for catching the most trout and Billy Curtis from Cadeleigh for the heaviest fish of the day.

The event was arranged by the River Exe and Tributaries Association (RETA) in memory of Robin Bailey, a keen salmon fisherman and supporter.

Henry Llewellyn, chairman of RETA, said: “These young people clearly enjoyed the day. We hope that we might have sparked a life-long interest in fishing and in caring for our wonderful west-country rivers.”