It has been said that angling is the best of all pastimes and if the Good Lord created a better one then he must have kept it for himself! Who am I to argue with that? In fact to me the statement makes perfect sense!
Angling is a hobby for all; be they young or old, rich or poor, male or female, able-bodied or disabled and here in Wales – because of the wonderful angling-club structure – it is a reasonably priced pastime.
It is also an honest activity, and as with all honest sports, what you put into it is what you’ll get out of it. This has always been the case and is especially true for the up and coming anglers of today.
Over the years I have spent many a day angling in the company of youngsters. Many of these have been memorable events despite the low number of fish brought to the net. I recall a few years ago spending a day in the company of a group of teenage anglers fishing in Cardiff Bay.
The Bay is a wonderful location for novice anglers to experience some exciting fishing. It holds a variety of fish and on the day the camaraderie amongst the participants made for a lot of enjoyment and laughter. There were just enough fish caught to make the whole exercise attractive, and one the youngsters were keen to experience again.
Another memorable day that comes to mind was on Teglan Fishery at Ciliau Aeron – a wonderful coarse fishery situated in the delightful Aeron Valley half way between Aberaeron and Lampeter. Here a group of youngsters having been provided with appropriate tackle were fishing for perch. It was a great event meticulously organised by the host and supported by the staff of the then Environment Agency.
Several of the pupils were catching fish and enjoying themselves immensely – and one could feel that there was friendship and enjoyment in the air.
Angling clubs also organise taster sessions for youngsters and every year, Llanilar Angling Club invites all primary school children in the Ystwyth valley to Dinas Reservoir for an angling ‘open-day.’ It is always a joyous occasion – and what a delightful way to introduce angling to the young with the full support of their parents.
Angling has also been introduced into the alternative curriculum for older, disaffected pupils as it has been found to provide a means of engaging with pupils who have concentration or behavioural problems. In time, the improvement in their general self-discipline became apparent – proving to be extremely valuable in certain instances.
Ten years or so ago *, I remember helping to organise a coaching session for a group of disaffected teenagers from a comprehensive school. Their behaviour and general attitude in school was a cause of concern and it was thought that by taking them into the great outdoors and giving them the opportunity to experience a little fishing could be beneficial.
The adult: pupil ratio had to be high and I was given two youngsters to observe and teach. Both were fourteen years of age – though one was of a much smaller build than the other.
In no time it became apparent that the smaller lad was a natural and within minutes was able to cast a fly onto the water with ease. The other lad just could not master the action and not only did he give up trying, he also became difficult to manage. No doubt this was one of the problems at school – he could not concentrate or persevere with the task in hand.
We, as volunteer coaches had been advised by the teacher in charge that a few of the older, more awkward pupils could refuse to co-operate and I felt I was facing such a situation.
Several of the pupils were catching fish and enjoying themselves immensely – and one could feel that there was friendship and enjoyment in the air.
Suddenly the young lad in my care hooked a fish – and the other took up the net and insisted he be allowed to help net the fish.
When this happened the others started to applaud and the change in the lad’s demeanour was apparent. He had succeeded in doing something properly and was now a hero. He walked around the lake encouraging everyone to catch a fish so that he could net it.
The teacher reckoned that much of his behaviour problems stemmed from the fact that he was never a hero and seldom accepted within the group. His success on the morning had started to change things for him. Slowly and carefully his attitude changed and he became a more co-operative member of the class.
If we can get youngsters to take up this wonderful hobby – a hobby they’d enjoy for the rest of their lives – it could change their entire outlook on life. Today, health and safety procedures, together with the immense amount of paperwork tends to put anglers off coaching youngsters – but it is worthwhile, especially when it can help build up an individual’s self-esteem.
Words & Picture: the late Moc Morgan
*First published in Welsh Country Magazine Nov-Dec 2014
