North West Angling fair returns to Strabane this weekend

by Gráinne Connolly

The North West Angling fair is set to return to Strabane this weekend, following the success from last year. 

It's one of the biggest events on the local angling calendars, hosted by Derry City and Strabane Council at the Melvin Centre. 

The fair is set to attract some of the UK and Ireland's top fly-dressers, casters and anglers. 

It's a family orientated event that will feature appearances, talks and demonstrations from some of the biggest names in fishing.

There will be a series of outdoor casting demonstrations with double handed demonstrations on the River Mourne, under the pedestrian bridge from world class casters such as Henrik Mortensen, Robert Gillespie and more. 

The events will be interactive so the public can get involved throughout the day. 

Scottish television actor and presenter, Paul Young of 'Hooked on Fishing' will be one of the elite names in fishing to attend: 

Donegal Angling guide, John McLaughlin will also be going to the event. 

The Letterkenny man has been fishing since the age of seven and stated that the event on his doorstep in Strabane, is on par with anything he has experienced. 

He also said "From my perspective as someone who works in the industry, it's a great way to promote angling and hopefully attract new people to get involved. 

The Melvin Centre is as good a venue as I've seen for an event like this with the River Mourne so close by and it's a brilliant lineup with some of the biggest names in the world of angling attending."

There will also be a number of stalls from local retailers set up in the main hall at the Melvin Sports Complex. 

For those who would like to attend the event, it will run from 10am to 5pm on both Saturday and Sunday this weekend (8th and 9th April).