A Young Boys First Fish- Tony Bedford

I'm not sure who was more excited, me, the father, presenting my 3 year old son, James, with his first fishing rod on his birthday, or him receiving it? (even though he didn’t know what it was for!). And what a gift it was, quite different from my first fishing rod, which consisted of a piece of bamboo with a bit of line tied to the end! A telescopic rod/reel combo 5 feet in length with hooks, floats the lot.

I couldn't wait to take him down to my little fishing spot on the beach in Jumeirah, Dubai, and it would have to be sooner rather than later as James was likely to break something in the house flailing the rod about like a light saber! Libby, my wife was already voicing the words that all anglers know so well "can you either take him fishing or put that fishing tackle in the shed"!

We arrived and I set-up his little rod, carefully explaining (as well as you can to a 3 year old) as I went, line, float, weights, hook, bait........then cast..................

There are numerous smaller fish in the shallow water, Needlefish and other shoaling bait fish patrol the breaking surf within easy casting distance for this small outfit. I cast a couple of times to show James what to do and let him reel in slowly each time, then bingo! A small needlefish was on! Launching itself out of the water and tugging away at the light tackle, James was screeching with delight! Part excitement, part fear of the unknown, what was pulling the rod? You could see his little mind working overtime! The fish safely landed and hook removed, it was his, his first fish......a smile from ear to ear and a look of wonder on his face..........hooked!

The smile from ear to ear and look of wonder will be back again, I know it will, as I still smile from ear to ear when I catch my elusive quarry.

And so, James' journey as an angler begins, it's my job to ensure he enjoys it safely. It's my job to ensure he appreciates his quarry and handles it with care. It's my job to ensure he appreciates the environment and instill in him the values and angling principles that my father passed to me, after all, angling is not just about catching fish……….oh no……..it is so much more than that. See pictures Young James with his fish