COLIN Blackburn is a qualified coarse fishing instructor who is now bestowing over 20 years of knowledge upon other enthusiasts based in North Cornwall and West Devon.

Colin started fishing aged five-years-old and has never stopped. When it comes to fishing in the UK, he has, probably at some point, fished for everything that swims in and around the UK.

"I started fishing in the late seventies as a youngster fishing with my granddad," he said. "Everything we caught was for the pot back then, so it was mainly sea fishing off the coast of North Wales. However, Trout, Pike and Perch from some of the big Welsh reservoirs were also eaten."

He much prefers catch and release these days, though.

"Our knowledge of the environment has moved on a lot since the 70s. Even when sea fishing, I never take more fish that I will use that day; if I have to freeze it then I don't see the point. Fish is so good to eat fresh from the sea, that freezing it is just wrong."

For the full report, and a round up of the area news and sport, please see this week's edition of the 'Post'.