Throw out a line, pull in a memory
Try your hand at fishing on your ‘staycation’

LINDA WHITE
Special to Sun Media

Staycation. It’s a quirky, made-up word that’s fast becoming this summer’s best vacation idea for families who don’t want to spend a lot of time or money on travel, or simply want to enjoy vacation-type activities from the comfort of their own home.

Certainly, the term is picking up traction as people weigh the cost of filling up their gas tanks with unwinding close to home. With just about every town and city across the country located close to streams, lakes, ponds or rivers, staycations are a welcome opportunity to discover – or rediscover – a treasured Canadian pastime: fishing.

According to the Canadian National Fishing Association, one in four Canadians enjoys this leisurely pastime. Tap into your circle of friends and family and you’re sure to find someone who’d be willing to share some tips to get you started.

Tackle retailers are also a great resource and can help you match the tackle you need to the kind of fish you can catch in your area – and all within a modest budget. The basic fishing outfit is just four pieces: a rod, reel, line and bait or lure. Visit your local retailer for affordable combo packs for all ages and experience levels.

Of course, learning the basics before you hit the water will help your family get the most out of fishing and is as easy as casting in the backyard to become familiar with the equipment and build confidence. Novices should practice until they can cast a line with some accuracy. Scatter targets on the lawn and see if you can hit them with a weight on the end of the line.

Lots of helpful tips are just a click away at www.catchfishing.com, an indispensable website for beginners. You can download “Catch Fishing! Your Basic ‘How To’ Guide to Fishing in Canada.” It includes everything you need to know, from an introduction to fishing tackle and how to bait your hook to catching, landing and releasing fish.

It also contains valuable safety tips, as well as information on the best places to find fish, and them how to clean and cook them. Imagine frying up your catch over a campfire or at home on the barbecue after a few hours on the water.

Because each province and territory has its own fishing regulations about things like open and closed season for various fish, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the regulations. Helpful booklets are usually free for the asking at tackle shops and marinas.

You can’t beat fishing as an activity the whole family can enjoy. It’s a great way to escape video games and electronics, to reconnect with one another and to teach kids about the environment. If the fish aren’t biting and the young ones are getting bored, take a break to do some swimming or exploring.

You likely don’t have to travel far to fish and you certainly don’t need a boat. Simply drop your line from a bridge, pier or dock or cast from a shoreline or riverbank. It’s not a physically challenging sport, but will get everyone up and moving.

Pack a picnic or few snacks and refreshments, some sunscreen, a hat with a visor, insect repellant and chairs, and you’re good to go. You may also want to pack a camera to capture memories in the making.