World Fishing Day – Hour 19

Its the final few hours of World Fishing Day and as the teams in the US and Canada prepare to present some amazing action, we bring you a series of films that epitomise what World Fishing Day is all about. First up, we interview Finnish actor and fly fishing nut, Jasper Paakonen and explore his passion for the sport and get his thoughts on the future of fishing. Legendary bass fishing Pro, Mike Iconelli introduces us to his amazing charity, the Ike Foundation and the work they do to encourage kids to the sport. We look at the work of UK charity, Fishing for Schools which has helped over 2000 kids try fishing since 2008. Trout Unlimited in the UK present a film about the fight against the proposed sale of vast areas of public lands in the US, something that would have a dramatic consequence for US anglers and hunters. In New Zealand, we look at a newly discovered saltwater fly fishery where anglers target the agressive and hard fighting kingfish. Rae Borras meets up with cricketing legend, Sir Ian Botham as he discusses his love of fishing and concerns for the plight of salmon and sea trout in the UK. In France, we see a film about the Bluefin tuna fishery and how a group of anglers are targeting these amazing fish on fly rods. The Wild Trout Trust introduce a new film discussing their work in restoring wild trout habitats in the UK. Sean Leonard, Jon Beer and Matthew Wright explain some of the issues surrounding UK rivers and what the Trust is doing to help. Project Healing Waters is a fantastic charity that helps ex servicemen and women overcome their wartime experiences using the therapy of fly fishing..in this short film, we meet one such veteran.