Angling Academy

Barony College in partnership with the Professional Anglers Association (Scotland) launched their new Angling Academy in March 2007.

The collaboration between the two organisations combines education and professional angling coaching, and on the back of this, the College has become a Centre of Excellence through the Scottish Federation of Coarse Angling.

In its first three years, the Angling Academy has been well utilised by schools, and by both Dumfries and Annan Adult Resource Centre. The ARC groups enjoyed one day per week over a period of 6 weeks, where they spent time at the College's Fish Farm learning about the lifecycle of a farmed trout from hatchery to the end product, and the workings of the fish farm, then travelled to Dormont Lake (one of the very few lakes in Scotland), near Dalton for practical angling coaching. The professional coaches took the group through steps in angling, fish identification and environmental awareness. Similarly, schools have also had taster days at both the College and Dormont. Some of the schools have angling clubs, and others went to the sessions as a ‘taster' to learn more about fishing.

PAA website: www.scottishproanglers.co.uk