Introduce Children to Salmon Fishing in Scotland
There is no greater feeling than introducing the younger generation into our sport. Many people that have enjoyed the pastime of salmon fishing, or any fishing as a matter of fact, were first introduced to the sport by a parent or close family member. This is often where that initial spark of passion is ignited. Salmon fishing is a great vehicle which can be used to spend quality time with your children.
In the modern age of new technology, the fishing rod still remains the best joy stick on the planet and is better than any games console for entertainment. Salmon fishing can teach our children so much, as the skills and disciplines learned from the sport can be mirrored in life. Patience, perseverance and respect for the fish are all important, when it comes to salmon fishing and these virtues are vital for our children to learn. Salmon fishing is a fantastic pastime for children to experience, as it brings them into the great outdoors, enjoying the fresh air. It also has the added bonus of getting kids close to nature and learning about how important it is to respect the environment they live in.
Expert Tuition for Children and Families
Family-Friendly Salmon Fishing Experiences
The key to getting children to enjoy salmon fishing is by letting them experience what it feels like to hook a fish. If this happens quickly, then all the better. When children are young, they are often looking for instant gratification and if they can feel their rod bend during the first few times they go salmon fishing, they can often be hooked for life. It can therefore be better if they begin with spinning for salmon. The technique of spinning is much easier to master and learn, compared to fly fishing. Usually after just around fifteen minutes of tuition, most people are able to cast a spinning rod competently and well enough to cover a salmon. If they then enjoy the experience and catch fish on a regular basis, they can then be introduced to the art of fly fishing.
When it comes to any sport, safety is paramount and all children under the age of sixteen should be closely supervised by an experienced adult. Rivers are dangerous places, and it is important that anyone that ventures close to the riverbank is wearing a buoyancy aid at all times. It is also important that the experienced adult accompanying a child, knows the stretch of water that they are fishing well, and is aware of the depth and current in the pools. It is always better not to wade and if it is necessary, to keep wading to a minimum. If there is a resident beat ghillie, it is very important to listen to his safety advice, as ghillies will know their water and pools intimately.
Planning a Family Salmon Fishing Holiday in Scotland
In Scotland there are some fantastic opportunities for children to experience salmon fishing. There are a number of angling associations across the country which offer under sixteens discounted season permits on some famous rivers. Most of the rivers in Scotland have a stretch of Association water for locals to salmon fish, and this is a great place for children to start their journey. Many of these beats can be quite prolific depending on the time of year. Rivers like the Thurso, Helmsdale, Dee, Spey and Tay amongst many others all have good beats which are controlled by their local angling associations and offer children great discounted fishing.
Many private beats also have excellent facilities which are suitable for children. Almost all of the beats have a fishing hut and ghillie available for anglers. As the wading on different beats can be variable it is always better to select a beat with easy wading for children and one which is safe. This usually means where the riverbed is smooth and there are no sudden depth changes. It is also important that the riverbank is well maintained and clear of any obstacles that may cause a stumble, or long grass which could entangle lines and little feet.
There is no better pastime to introduce children to than salmon fishing, as it teaches them values that are important in everyday life. The fact that there are so many famous rivers in Scotland which have beats which are regulated by angling associations, offering heavily discounted season tickets for children, is fantastic for the next generation of salmon fishers! When you couple this with some of the private beats allowing children under a certain age to fish for free when an accompanying adult is fishing, it is easy to see why Scotland is the perfect country to introduce children to the joys of salmon fishing.
