Tales from the riverbank

Rehana Lothian has found herself bewitched by fishing. Can she share its gentle pleasures with two children new to Norrland’s rivers and lakes? 

I didn’t learn to fish as a child. In fact, I spent very little time around water but as an adult I’m beginning to appreciate fishing’s rewards. Of course, for many of us, fishing isn’t actually about catching fish; it’s all about the act of fishing and being in the moment, just you and those enigmatic creatures under the water and, of course, the mosquitoes. 

Determining the perfect spot, studying the ebb and flow of the pools and rapids of the river or lake transports you to a state closer to nature and hopefully closer to fish. Standing for long quiet moments listening to birdsong and insects buzzing in the air layered over the babble of moving water brings a stillness unequaled by almost anything else I can think of. A stillness punctuated by (not so frequently in my case), exciting flashes of “fish on” and then the disappointment of the near misses, makes for a strangely addictive combination akin to meditation with a bit of roulette thrown in. No two fishing expeditions are the same; nature is fickle.

It’s always a pleasure to take a new fisher boy or girl out to see if we can share that feeling. Applying for a license for a child is free (ungdomsfiskekort), so no stress if they don’t like it. We took a trip out with a family from the UK on their first attempt.

Evie (10) and Arthur (8) came along with their dad, Robin Bernau, on a particularly breezy day, a bonus for mosquito haters but a nightmare if you are casting for the first time against the wind next to trees with low hanging branches (more on this later!). 

A kick of endorphins

The kids borrowed some rods with button-release reels to make their first time easier and used worm bait. Robin was looking for slightly bigger fish with his newly bought rod and lures.It wasn’t long after the initial getting-to-know-the-equipment stage, that Arthur was rewarded with a small perch. No matter the size, the excitement of the first catch is a great kick of endorphins after the less exciting parts, such as the instruction and the waiting. 

Siblings being siblings, the anticipation was even greater for Evie after Arthur landed fish number two. 

The pressure was mounting on the experienced fisherman in our crew, Paul, to help Evie catch a fish. Luckily that moment came and  I don’t think Evie’s huge smile came only from equaling her brother; I could see a genuine fascination and the patience to do it all again in the hope of catching another.

Robin’s trip was not wasted either, having caught a perch on his lure, although he did have to climb a tree to disentangle his line at one point.

No prize-winning pike

Problems abound: lines caught in trees, lures broken, worms eaten, casting made tricky by a gusty wind, and the occasional disappointment of catching something not related to fish (mostly reeds). But these issues made the four or five hard-won small fish caught on the day more prized. 

Not surprisingly, no prize-winning pike showed up, only small perch and roach but I think it’s safe to say that we have three new fishing enthusiasts. Indeed, the very next day, Robin was back out and sent a picture – ‘I caught a fish!’, was the attached message.

Fishing tips

– Experience is fairly important so make your first outing with an old hand 

– Honor the ecosystem: don’t leave anything behind and think carefully about taking any fish you catch

– Ask about current rules regarding fishing seasons, licenses and disease prevention

– Never stand behind someone who’s casting!

https://www.visitskelleftea.se/en/guides/fishing/