Fishability freshwater section launches at Drakesbrook Weir

People of all abilities are getting hooked on fresh water fishing at Waroona’s picturesque Drakesbrook Weir. The Fishability freshwater section launched at the weir last Wednesday — with residents from the Quambie Park aged care facility being among the first to cast a line. The organisation focuses on inclusion and provides a fishing experience to anyone with a disability and until now had not done freshwater fishing. Participants did not have to wait for the action to begin, with a trout being caught within minutes of the first cast. Fishability Freshwater Co-ordinator Chas Riegert said fishing was therapeutic for the people participating. “You’re sitting there . . . and before you know it you’re off in another world,” he said. “Sitting on the edge of the water, watching the line go in the water . . . everything else in the world doesn’t matter. “All those anxieties, all those stresses . . . everything else disappears.” Fishing at Drakesbrook Weir is scheduled for the first Wednesday of each month to cater for Quambie Park’s activity program. Mr Riegert said the program was welcome to all and encouraged people to get involved. A cheque from the Police and Nurses Bank and a marquee from Bendigo Bank Pinjarra were presented at the inaugural event, with donations already received from the Shire of Waroona and Alcoa. Fishability has been active since 2003 and has groups at locations from Albany to Geraldton — including Bunbury.