THE art and craft of fishing and learning how to love and care for the countryside came together in the heart of the Forest last week as youngsters tackled up to take their first steps towards becoming anglers.

Members of Yorkley Angling Club were the hosts for a day-long programme of events designed to encourage youngsters to take up the sport.

It is Yorkley's sixth year of involvement in the National Fishing month event which is sponsored by the Angling Trust and the Environment Agency and supported by the Forestry Commission and Roger Byett, of Lydney's Forest Tackle store.

"It was a brilliant day. In all, 26 youngsters turned up. We provided all the tackle and equipment and each one had an hour-long session with a specially trained coach. Everyone caught fish," said Yorkley's Terry McKenzie.

The events was held at the Three Islands Fishery near Speech House.

Each youngster was presented with a certificate and received goody bags from The Angling Trust and Forest Tackle. There was also a barbecue.

The qualified coaches, all Yorkley AC members, were Nick Stephens, John Beddis and Colin Stephens.

"The idea is to inspire and encourage youngsters to take up fishing and judging by the enthusiasm we generated on Saturday I'm sure we will see some of these youngsters in the future," said Terry.

•This Sunday, July 31, Cannop's number one pond will be the setting for one of the Forest's biggest fishing competitions of the season, the Forest Stone Firm's Annual Challenge Cup.

More than 30 anglers have already signed up to take part. Fishing begins at 9am and continues until 2pm.