Take a Friend Fishing - How to get youngsters fishing for the first time

ANGLERS across the nation have warmly welcomed the return of the immensely popular Take a Friend Fishing scheme.

‘Delighted’ and ‘proud’ are among the positive words we’ve received from readers in support of the decision by campaign leaders the Angling Trust and Environment Agency, which enables rod licence-holders to obtain a free licence for a friend.

But in the messages we received, one question regularly cropped up: ‘What is the best way to take someone fishing for the first time?’ It’s a tricky one to answer, so we enlisted the advice of Angling Trust ambassador Zenia Drury-Gregorek, an expert in getting kids into fishing, who reveals some of her secrets.

“I have two sons, Zaine (nine) and Zeejay (six), both of whom have fished since they were just a few years old,” she tells us.
“One of the key things to remember is not to force it. Zaine is a natural born angler, but Zeejay is a bit of a live wire and doesn’t have his big brother’s patience! If he doesn’t want to go, I’ll not push him and make it a battle – that would be an easy way to put him off before he’s even on the bank.”

Zenia got her sons fishing at an early age

Once they’re out the house, Zenia believes it’s all about making things short, simple and fun.

“Always start with short sessions. While we think nothing of sitting on the bank for five hours straight, to a small person an hour is a long time. Either go for quick sessions or have regular breaks for walks, wildlife spotting, or simple games.
“Kids love watching a float,” Zenia adds,
“so a short pole or whip is an ideal set-up to start with. You don’t get many tangles, and kids can focus on the magic of watching that float disappear.”

Quiet spells when the fish aren’t biting can quickly lead to boredom, but Zenia has a crafty way around these.

“Take lots of snacks! These keep children entertained while they wait for bites, and avoid the nightmare of a session being cut short because they’re hungry.
“Remember that size doesn’t matter to kids, so by targeting small fish you’re less likely to have long waits between bites.”

Keep sessions short, bring snacks and fish for bites to keep kids entertained on the bank

We can probably all admit that, as kids, our fish care wasn’t where it should have been, and Zenia believes it’s crucial to show correct practices right from the off.

“It’s down to us to show how important it is to look after our catch, so I’ll set an example by always using a net and unhooking mat. I’ll also teach kids how to use a disgorger, as well as how to place fish gently back into the water, not throw them back. These lessons will soon become good habits that will lead to a lifetime of quality fish care,” she says.
“Ultimately, though, the most important tip is to enjoy making memories as a family. Make the most of every catch, whatever species it is, and show kids just how much fun fishing can be.”