YOUNG anglers are preparing to set up their own salmon hatching project in South Tynedale.

The Environment Agency has donated 200 salmon eggs to Haltwhistle and District Angling Association’s junior fishing club, based at Haltwhistle Middle School.

The River South Tyne salmon eggs were carefully transported to the school from Kielder Salmon Centre.

Pupils involved with the scheme placed the eggs in a specialist tank, where they will hatch into baby fish.

The fishing club’s Carole Sanderson said the youngsters learned about the development process.

She added: “I explained in detail about the life cycle of the salmon. The children have the responsibility of checking the water temperature every morning and afternoon, and recording it.

“This is critical, because if the temperature is too high, the eggs will not survive.”

When the time comes, the pupils will get the chance to release the salmon eggs back into the River South Tyne at Haltwhistle.

Carole added: “The junior club was set up to encourage youngsters to take up fishing. It’s a fun and educational alternative to spending hours playing on computers, phones, and other electronic devices.”

The club runs fishing events every month throughout the summer, and fly tying classes during the winter months.

It has an indoor fly rod, which enables participants to practice their casting, and to keep their skills honed when they are away from the river.

Casting skills will be put to the test over the coming months, and certified casting awards will be up for grabs.

Carole and David Stobbart are Level 2 coaches in game, sea and coarse angling, while the club has two other Level 1 coaches.

Carole said fishing is great for the development of life skills.

She added: “Hopefully, our club will inspire young people to get out fishing and enhance their social skills.

“It’s great to see the mutual respect our children have by sorting out tangles for each other, and by netting each other’s fish.”

For more information visit http://www.haltwhistleangling.co.uk/