DDAPS Youth Fishing Fun Day 2025

Once again, the annual DDAPS Youth float fishing fun day has come and gone. This year’s event has built on the successes of previous years and even managed to break the 2018 attendance record with a whopping 423 young anglers turning up for this year’s event.

The weather remained mainly kind to us despite a worrying forecast for thunder and lighting and except for a brief spell of rain the weather remained bright and sunny, which no doubt encouraged the fish to feed, and feed they did. There were numerous big fish captures throughout the day and species caught included, roach, perch, bream, carp, tench and eels.

A specimen tench of 6lb 4oz was captured by Harry Savage, this fish won the fish of the day. Other large fish were caught by many anglers, and those that undertook the free professional coaching were also rewarded with some notable catches. Sonny Bumstead caught a net full of fish, including 2 x 5 1/2lb carp in his 30-minute coaching slot, and was also the winner of the coaches’ award.

The final award to be won was the prestigious Tackle Box angler of the day, and this was won by an Archie Salter, who managed to convince his parents to take him all the way from St Albans to the event as he couldn’t find one closer. They did, he caught a bag full of fish all day and scooped the top award too. Well done to all of our winners.

There was a free to enter raffle following the awards and complete tackle prizes were won by a few lucky anglers.

No one left empty-handed though, as thanks to the event’s sponsors The Tackle Box in Wattling Street, Dartford, all the equipment that the young anglers were given to use during the day was then given to them to keep at the end of the event. It is worth noting that the Tackle Box not only supplied the 100s of fishing kits but also the floats, bait and raffle/award prizes, and provided this all free of charge.

I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of DDAPS staff and committee to thank all the volunteers on the day, Kent police, location medical services, and especially the Tackle Box, as without their support this event would not be possible.

Thank you.

(Andrew Hope club secretary and event organiser)