A host of the UK’s and Irelands greatest fly-dressers, casters and top angling celebrities will gather at Melvin Sports Complex, Strabane for the first ever North West Angling Fair on Saturday, May 28 and Sunday, May 29. Taking place from 11am to 5pm each day both inside Melvin Sports Complex and along the River Mourne, the event promises to be a fantastic occasion for anglers and fishing enthusiasts from across the region. Visitors will have the opportunity to watch the best International Fly-dressers practice their art, whilst champion fly-casters will be available to demonstrate and advise on fly-casting techniques and fly-fishing tactics. A series of celebrity guests from the fishing industry have been signed up for the event including three times spey-casting world champion, Gordon Armstrong, Irish Ladies Flyfishing Association’s Pauline McClenaghan and Peter O’Reilly, one of Ireland’s leading authorities on trout and salmon fishing. Over the two days there will be a massive range of top quality trade stands selling everything the fly angler and fly dresser needs plus there will be a series of educational programmes delivered by the Loughs Agency, as well as fly-tipping and pole cupping competitions. There will also be live cookery demonstrations, virtual angling and birds of prey, making it the perfect event for all the family. The Mayor, Elisha McCallion said: “This event is an opportunity for us to promote the river and the facilities we have on offer for fishing. It is a very popular sport that has a huge following and fan base and it’s important that we build on that to actively promote fishing tourists to the Strabane area. This event is fantastic with so many events on offer for all the family and I am confident it will be a great success. All we need now is for nice weather and some good catches on the day,” she said. For those interested in finding out more about the North West Angling Fair please visit www.derrystrabane.com/anglingfair