FISH FOR LIFE
This Sunday saw the launch of an exciting new company delivering fishing experiences in Hampshire. For Life Experiences has spent the last twelve months developing their Fish For Life Projects aimed to introduce people of all ages and walks of life to the joys of angling.
The event was held at the beautiful Eastleigh and District club’s
‘Having worked for the past six years delivering outdoor education and development programs in both England and The States, I always thought that fishing could be an extremely powerful activity to help people appreciate the outdoors, focus, concentrate, reduce stress and relax’ said Graham Mabey – Director.
‘With the support of Shakespeare Tackle, The Environment Agency and The Princes Trust, we are now able to deliver top quality, fun, educational, fishing outings around Hampshire’. Whether you would like a corporate fishing experiences, have a son or daughter who would like to learn to fish or have a school class or youth group who you think would benefit from fishing, we can put a personalised package together for you’.
With everything set up and ready, the fist session started at 10am with teachers Paul and Steph, young John from a local youth group, Josh, Kya (age 5) and Brandon (age 8). Coaches Jim Rice, Larry Mabey, Terry Davison, Graham Wiltshire and Dave Phillips were in fine form and soon had everyone waiting with eager anticipation for their first bite. Everyone had fish with little Kya catching a number of roach topped by a 2lb Bream. Everyone did extremely well and the parents and youth workers could not believe the level of focus and concentration being used.
‘Fishing seems to have the power to stimulate and engross. Children who often cannot sit still or have limited attention spans in the classroom somehow become enchanted by the float. Hours pass by with patience, determination, concentration and focus being demonstrated. After fishing we review the skills used and try to promote their use in other areas of life’.
One of the comments made by Kya’s Uncle at the end of the day read ‘Really good, helping the concentration levels of a five year old that usually has a short attention span’.
As the sun rose higher in the sky it was soon time for the second session to start. Once again the roach continued to feed as the Carp, Tench and Bream seemed content to just sunbathe. Young Charlie and his friend Liam took the most fish, having a friendly competition between them. It was neck and neck all the way to the final minute. They finished the session with around ten fish each and left with huge smiles on their faces, sporting there free Shakespeare sun visors.
The lake continued to produce fish throughout the whole day and everyone left with a new found love of fishing and a smile on their faces. The coaches also had a brilliant time. On entering Larry’s swim while he was coaching young Dodi, I heard singing and then discovered that Dodi was in fact teaching Larry nursery rhymes and they were both singing away to their hearts content .
Bradley took the best fish of the day with a stunning Bream after changing from the whip to feeder fished corn and groundbait. Top rod of the day had to go to six year old Miles Pearce who caught 25 fish in 45 minutes. Little Miles was a star and swung the fish into Coach Dave for him to unhook. Well done Miles!
All in all it was a hugely successful day and everyone enjoyed themselves. Prizes were handed out along with bags packed with free goodies and information.
That evening we sat back in the garden, relaxing and reflecting on the day when the phone rang. It was young Liam’s mother on the phone.
“ I thought that I would phone you up and let you know that I have been trying to put the boys to bed for the past hour and all they can talk about is fishing! In Liam’s words ‘It was the bestest day ever!’ Thank you so much!”
Thanks have to go out to Shakespeare Tackle, The Princes Trust and The Environment Agency for helping to make this adventure possible. Thanks to Chris Stringer Photography and Skyline FM for covering the event.
Also a big thank you to all the coaches for their hard work and enthusiasm.
For more details about For Life Experiences please visit the website at www.forlifeexp.com or phone 02380 550 263.
Tight Lines
Graham Mabey
Director