After a wet start to the opening of the river season, TAC volunteers were praying to Izaak that Sunday would be dry for their free to all,  'Celebration of the river season opening event' at Walton riverside.

Three qualified coaches supplied by the Environment Agency spent the day teaching 96 youngsters how to start fishing. All 96 youngsters caught fish and each youngster was given a fishing kit to take home with them and a discount voucher for the local tackle shops. Esher Angling, Fishing Unlimited, Surbiton Angling Centre and Walton Tackle Exchange.

The Environment Agency also supplied a fish holding tank, which together with a couple of our own, enabled us to display Roach, Dace and Bleak in one. Perch in another and a solitary Bullhead in the third. All the fish were caught in the morning by the volunteers, and safely released at the end of the day.

Advice and more detailed instruction was given on float fishing and lure fishing to those wanting to improve their skills were many amongst the four hundred or so that attended the event.

Les Webbers Angling Projects was on hand, to explain the hugely successful work his organisation does with disadvantaged youngsters and comunnity groups. They get to stay for several days and nights, free of charge at his purpose built centre and get involved with hands on activities such as path building, classroom activities and of course fishing.

Thames Water, to many anglers the nemesis, were present with their Tideway Tunnel Roadshow. After 30 years of poisoning our River Thames, they now want to stop. All the ' super sewer' information was on show and their representatives answered enquiries and questions.

TAC President Keith Arthur came along and passed on some his guidance to the juniors.

A Falconry Club were kind enough to bring four of their birds along. They were on their perches all day long, enthralling all and sundry with the occasional excursion to an admirers arm, for a picture to be taken. Just like in the fish world it seems these apex predators are the most delicate, and the best at capturing the attention.

Not only the juniors had a go

A day when the rain stayed away, 96 new anglers were born, Les Webbers Angling Projects spread their message to new ears, Danny and his Falcons enthralled, and Thames Water learned the strength of feeling that abounds.

Thanks to everyone who helped, giving up their time for free to make it a very enjoyable event.