THAT'S the way to start your love of angling!

Six-year-old Sky Wells' first catch on her fishing debut on Saturday was a cracking tench weighing 4lbs 2ozs that bent the rod double.

On a specially arranged taster day ticket at Warrington Anglers' Association's Rixton Clay Pits, member Lenny Stone was delighted with his daughter's first experience of what was planned to be some 'light fishing for small roach'.

After Lenny set up for Sky, fishing close in and under the rod tip on a peg unsuitable for casting due to overhanging branches, after a few tips on feeding with the maggots and striking he left her to have a go.

"It wasn't long before a few small fish were biting, small roach and perch, and I used these first few to teach Sky when to lift and strike into the bite and set the hook," he said.

"When I was confident she knew what to do I chucked in a few maggots, put a red and white on the size 16 barbless hook, dropped it in and handed her the rod.

"The bite came quick I told her to strike but she was already doing it and she set the hook. I knew right away this was no little fish as it had the waggler rod bent double almost.

"This was accompanied by a 'woah!' from Sky as the battle began. For the first minute or so I didn't even see the fish as it took a little line from the reel.

"Sky had to keep both hands on the rod under the reel, she was smiling the whole time and was enjoying the fight. This is when I applied a little more pressure - as an angler I had to see what this was my daughter was fighting in case it came off the barbless hook.

"It was a nice tench! After a couple of minutes Sky had the tench beat and on the top of the water, but she couldn't manage to reel and draw this fish in as we hadn't had chance to even learn that yet!

"For a six-year-old it was quite heavy. Obviously I helped to do this bit and landed the fish safely.

"I hurriedly got out my scales, dampened the sling, zeroed the scales, and the tench weighed 4lbs 2ozs. My face lit up. The tench was pictured and returned safely.

"Sky had thoroughly enjoyed the experience and the capture and fight were witnessed by fellow WAA member Wayne Stuart-Cole."