"Gandalf" gandalf not for wrote in message
...
No, just a small stream inlet and a drain off that is a little more but
still only stickleback territory. I do have a section of canal fairly
close but even that is closed both ends.

Nearest real river is the Thames at Cricklade which I used to fish right
down to Lechlade in my youth. I do miss river fishing though and may try
to find some day ticket waters on the Thames. I think there is some at St
Johns Lock just down from Lechlade. Handy little pub right by the river as
well if I remember right.

Off out tomorrow but it will be rod and line in a lake known for large
bream, feeder fishing will be the method. Going to teach my daughter, my
grandsons mother, for the morning as she now wants to go with him as well.
They all think it is so easy.VBG

Cheers Gandalf


Hi Gandalf,

I was in a similar position a couple of years ago with my son. Partly
because of the advice from this group (Derek!) and partly due to an
introduction to fishing event held by the Environment agency, I ended up
taking my son to the Thames (Reading area) with a pole (4M is easy enough
for a child that size). He started caching fish within seconds! I suggest
you check the EA web page to see it there is a similar event in your area.
The format seems to be a session with a qualified fishing instructor, a bit
of 'pond dipping' and finished off with a goody bag - a pole with all you
need to get started. All you need to add is bait.

Don't under estimate how successful a simple pole can be - about 10 days ago
I took both my kids to the Thames and they caught nearly 100 fish between
them, mostly Roach but some perch, dace and I even caught a sizeable pike!

Derek is absolutely right to highlight the danger of a young child near
water, but if the right location is chosen this should be manageable.

One thing that has really surprised me is the 'staying power' a young child
can have. I expected the attention to wander after a short while, however
the last trip was 5 hours long and they didn't want to go home even then...

Andy.