Today, when I was out for a run along the beach, there was a whole group of school kids having fishing lessons!

They were all lined up with their kit being taught how to put the bait on the hook and how to cast properly etc.

Never seen them down there before; but just thought what a great way to spend your morning at school!

I'm a really cr*p fishing person (even though I grew up in a small fishing village); and have always said I should learn how to fish so that when we go camping I can catch us some tea!

When I go skiing (usually Austria) I often see a group of schoolkids getting a day's lesson on the slopes, ie not on holiday but just an extended sports hour.

Very cool.

Very cool indeed!

They have surfing lessons here as well, often see them down at Trigg.

They also have a lot of inter-school surfing competitions; just like we used have rugby/soccer games in the UK. But rather than hold them after school they have them during the morning when the surf is best.

I think my son is going to enjoy growing up here!

You see a lot of community groups that have fishing lessons and trips for the young here in Aus . Many churches also run these classes for underprivileged kids. My mate recently went on one from his church, he took 6 kids in his charge to teach them how to fish.
As for casting ( I hate to be contradictory .. but I've personally yet to see an Australian out cast a Brit).. may have something to do with right hand reels and swapping hands ( for the right hand person) . You're right arm is the strongest arm ( right handed people) .. you should wind with the left and fight with your stronger arm - the right.. I think it came in with the ole alvey this australian thing of winding with your right . It looks so awkward to me ,the way a lot of people do it here.. I'm with rex and starlo on this one ( both do it the 'correct" way)

Just picked up on this thread, my hubby has recently caught his first Barra, big one at that so he tells me.. I haven't seen the pic's yet ( he's up North at the moment) .. the B8stard!!!!! - and so happens it was on my gear ( the b*gger sneaked one of my rods and reels out.. He has enough of his own, could open a ruddy tackle shop .. but no - he takes one of mine, "the rod is greener on he other side" mentality - men!! )

What a great idea! Educational and fun... that's what works, no?
My kids would love to learn how to fish, though my daughter might not like the baiting the hook bit...lol

Siren

I grew up in a small fishing village too. In Cornwall....though the thought of spending 2hrs on the rocks, p$%$ing down with rain with force 6 wind doesnt have the same appeal as doing it here! Seeing those little things dont half make you feel like you made a good move hey.

Ahh lovely! wind , rain, and wild seas .. what more could a girl ask for.

I beach and rocked fished in Britain , and I fish here (also come from the coast in the UK) .. it is stupid to compare the two. I didn't need a boat in the UK, I need one here in brisbane (which I have).Brisbane is not very good for shore fishing (unless you're happy with "pan fish" Bream and whiting, and flathead) , hence it took me about one month after I moved here to realise this and buy a boat.

I find Brisbane shore fishing itself terrible for fishing,due to it's geography. Further north is far better, and further South towards the Tweed.

Can't compare the two it's like comparing apples with oranges, each country has different species, each place within a country has different features, good and bad ...and that is the beauty of it.

all this talk of fish is catching

might give it a whirl myself..

Badge

second thoughts : couldn't catch a cold!

Before everyone gets carried away and claims this is purely an Australian thing. We (various organisations) have been running fishing lessons in the UK for many years.

Why do peole have to move to the other side of the world to see what was under their noses the whole time?

I am coaching a young lad in Fly fishing who is now competing on a national level. Right here in Good old Blighty.

G

yes, but its not taught at school though is it??

What sort of fish do they catch?

Yes it is.
Several schools have their own fishing clubs.
We also donate tackle etc. to schools to support these activities.

G

mmmm, well you learn something new....

Our school definately didn't, we had a craft club once a week during lunch time, that was it

The school here offers tonnes more veriety of stuff curicular (sp?) and outside school too.

This may not be the case everywhere though

Sure it doesn't happen in all shools but then I doubt if it does in Australia either.

I really don't see how a bunch of Schoolkids fishing is that unusual in any country.

G