As a dad of 3 and an Angling Trust Coach, I've had lots of experience of taking both my own children, and other peoples, fishing. That means I've got a pretty good idea about some of the ways to make the trip as successful as possible (because, in all honesty, I've made most of the common mistakes already!).
Remember, fishing is meant to be a relaxing, calming experience for all concerned! There a few 'top tips' that might just help you plan your first fishing trip and ensure that everyone gets the most from the experience…
Everybody over the age of 13 needs a rod licence to fish. For those aged 13 - 16, these are free, but you still need to get one. Under 13's don't need one. Over 16's will need to purchase a licence (daily licences are available if you just want to give it a try). You can find all the details using the link below:
https://www.gov.uk/fishing-licences
You also need to make sure you have a day ticket or season ticket for the venue you are going to fish - Bailiffs usually patrol the banks and will ask you to show you ticket and rod licence to prove you are allowed to fish there.
You have to be a pretty hardened angler to enjoy fishing on a cold winters' day or through one of the UK's heavy rainfalls! Choosing a nice sunny day to fish can make a world of difference to the experience of all concerned and can take a little bit of pressure off the need to actually catch a fish (because, ultimately, you're having a nice relaxing seat by the water in the sunshine!). Make sure you all have a hat, drinks, some sun cream and some midge spray to hand.
There's a fine line between being there long enough to make sure you catch fish and being there too long that people get bored and restless! With my 8 year old, we normally aim for 2 - 3 hours max, but if I were to go fishing on my own, I would happily sit there for 6 hours plus! 2 hours is a good starting point for your first trip and gives you lots of time to catch plenty of fish.
This might sound obvious, but the key to enjoying fishing (especially for children) is actually catching fish. Make sure that you choose a venue where the chance of catching is high, even for a beginner. Some of our Canals in the UK are a great place to start, with a lot of fish lurking close to the bank. Alternatively, there are some great commercial lakes around, some of which even have beginner/stock ponds full of little fish which can be easily caught on a whip with a maggot on the hook. Rivers can be a tougher place to catch fish, as can big, expansive ponds, so choose smaller Stillwater venues to start you out.
I know that if you have kids, this is like teaching you to suck eggs! However, snacks can be a life saver when fishing, especially for little ones! My daughter often brings a toy with her too (or sometimes a pair of binoculars) so she can have a 5-minute break when she has her snack. We have a pack of wet wipes in our fishing box too, just so she can give her hands a wipe when she's been holding the fish and bait.
Enjoy being outside as a family and take in some of the amazing scenery and wildlife that you will see at the waters edge. If you have a small net, why not try some pond dipping or download the FREE nature guide from the Canal & Rivers Trust and see what you can spot! Here's the link for the guide: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/nature-spotters-guides
Despite what you may have heard - Size isn't important (well, it isn't when we are talking about catching your first fish anyway! Ha). Without giving too much away about my age, I can still clearly remember my first ever fish caught from the Erewash canal over 35 years ago (for those interested, it was possibly the worlds smallest Gudgeon!). Despite catching literally thousands of fish since then, I still remember that one! Take pictures. Share them on your social media. Celebrate EVERY SINGLE CATCH!
Most of all enjoy spending time together in the fresh air. Your kids will thank you for it in the long run.
