By: Veera
Viitanen
In early June, when
the summer sun was just rising, we drove to the airport with our ten
month old son sleeping in the car. There was excitement in the air
as we were heading to our first fishing trip abroad as a family. By
noon that day we would be in Slovenia, which had stolen our hearts a
year before. We had no idea if we could fish or not during our trip
and even though we were waiting so hard for the rising fish, at the
same time we were getting ready for a normal family vacation. Because
as you know every day with the growing little human is a new mystery
and his rhytms are your schedules.
The flight went
better than we could even hoped and the baby was in a good mood also
during the way over the mountains by car from the airport to the
accommodation. The place we stayed in Slovenia was a nice little
farm with child- friendly atmosphere. Our target river was flowing
opposite of the yard and there was also a smaller one running through
both the forest and the village nearby. We had a really good vibes
about this trip together.
The weather was
really hot and bright the first day in our destination. Water was
crystal clear and its level was quite low, which meant difficult
fishing for us. It hadn’t been raining for a while in Slovenia, so
the fish were really picky and passive. We had chosen the fishing
area by the experiences we have had before. The river and the spots
we fished, were familiar for us so we didn’t have to waste
expensive time with the baby by searching the right area to fish. We
could make short and a bit longer visits to the different spots for
checking if we could find some rising fish. The baby was thrilled
about everything new around him and loved to play with the rocks and
sand. He enjoyed his time on the backpack so much that we were able
to spend the whole day on the riverside.
On this holiday we
had Deuter Kid comfort 3 carrying device that was a really good
option for the trip like this. It is ergonomic for both the carrier
and the baby. There is also an integrated rain- and the sun cover.
It also has protection against the risk of falling and enough space
in the pockets for all the stuff needed on a daytrip. What we
usually needed on the river during the day, was diapers of course,
food stuff, changing clothes, first aid supplies, milk and water
bottles, toys, tissues and some breathable gauze that we could put
over during the naptime.
The next day Antti
went to fishing with our friend while I was taking it easy and
resting with the baby at the farm. Boys were catching fish and we
were enjoying our time on the pool and watching animals. Fishing
days are long even for the adults so somedays off are definitely
necessary with the kid. But we didn’t know that the weather was
radically changing and we would have to stay away from the river for
a couple more days. The storm stole us a few fishing days at the
end. Because of the hard rain the water level rose high really
quickly and the river was far too milky for fishing. Normally,
without the baby, we would have changed the river and driven as far
as it would be needed but with the kid that wasn’t an option.
On the first rainy
day, we spent our time driving around the mountains and went to meet
an old friend of ours. He told us about a smaller river nearby of
our accommodation. When the large rivers were out of the count we
still could have some chance with the smaller ones. So even though
the weather was still bad on the next day, we headed to the small
river. It wasn’t good either on that day but it was a bit better
at least, so we gave it a try. The weather was also getting better
slowly and we all three were really happy to be outside in the nature
again. Baby didn’t mind about the weather or how milky the river
was, and that is exactly what you are looking for your fishing
companion, isn’t? ;) –Every weather, everywhere, everytime.
Finally after few
days, when the water level was almost ok we were happy to get the
opportunity to fishing one more day before our trip in Slovenia would
be over. We had the sun shining again and in the afternoon, also the
water came to a perfect level. The rain did good things for the
rivers and fishing because the last evening turned out to be magical.
It seems that when
the best evening hatch is just beginning, you must help the baby to
get sleep so we took turns of fishing on our last evening. It was my
turn to fish first. I had heard the stories about the big marbles
which came to the rivers when the water level is high and on that
evening those stories came true. When I waded to one of my favorite
fishing spots and was just making my first cast I saw a big shadow
moving in the deep and then disappear. I felt a cold shiver on my
skin. What was that? Maybe just an illusion? I started to fish and
noticed quite soon how active the fish were on that moment. I had
many bites and caught a couple of small fish. When I hooked a tiny
little baby marble, I suddenly noticed that something was following
it below. When it came closer I realized that it was a large marble
trout. I don’t even have to lie when I say that it was a monster
size, really a huge fish. I was terrified while waiting for what
would happen next. Maybe it saw me or noticed that its target
already hooked, because it stopped and swam back to the darkness. I
was relieved as I netted the small marble but there was more drama
coming. A rainbow trout I hooked a little more down the river was
attacked by the large marble again. The bow literally swam to my net
to save himself from the monster. I felt that there was no point to
fish any longer with small nymphs and dries and we needed the big
streamers. So I went back to the farm and told Antti to take his
streamers with him to the river. Just before the sun went down, he
actually had a good size marble that took his fly but he lost the
fight at the end. His mind was too distracted after that loss to fish
anymore so it was Game over for us.
Although we were
traveling as a family, it was a good option to have turns on the
fishing as it offered more opportunities to fish at the right time in
the right place. We felt sad because the evening was our last one
there, but we were really satisfied for the trip as a family. We
didn’t except anything but we got everything. Not the biggest fish
or seven days fishing, only three of those actually, but all of our
happiness came from the laughing little explorer on our backpack.
Fly fishing and
traveling with the baby can be challenging sometimes but it gives a
lot. Since we became a parents and decided to take our son to fish
with us, we have had a different attitude and a whole new point in
the experience. You are not chasing the big fish but the adventure.
It doesn’t matter how many fish you catch but the reaction your
baby has in every new thing he sees and learns. Fly fishing with a
baby or kid doesn’t have any right style and no one can really tell
you how it’s going to work, because babies are humans and the
humans are all different. What is the best and actually most
challenging thing, is that they are growing and learning new skills
so fast that every trip is different and unique. Every trip had to
be planned in a new way, thinking about the situation that you have
on that moment. But every journey is teaching us more. The whole
point in fly fishing with the baby is to share the adventure and
experience together. Be a family, the best team ever! Offer those
moments to your kid that make you happy. Be the one who teaches, who
inspires and who makes it possible. Who creates the memories and
shares the feelings. Let nature be the playground.
Even though we all
have our ways and habits, I still want to share some of the tips and
lessons we have learned while fishing during the baby- year.
- The right attitude : It is not a fishing trip, it is family adventure
- Carrier device : Invest in quality, comfort and safety
- Food bags : We often pack foods to bags (like a smoothiebags) which don’t need much space, don’t break easily and are not heavy like a glass and they are easy to eat or drink in the nature
- Disposable bottles/bags : Doesn’t need to be dishwashed and they are hygienic
- Travel high chair : Makes feeding easier in the hotel room and restaurants (there were no baby seats in the restaurants in mountain villages of Slovenia) , can be packet in the small place and it’s washable
- Shell jacket : It is always a good weather for fly fishing when you have a right clothes
- Right destination : Choose the destination which is not too difficult to hike or wade, and make sure the way back to car is short enough if the baby is losing his patience
- Mosquito net: Definitely needed in Finland! and helps with other bugs also if the baby is sleeping on the ground with carrier device
- Medicines : Panadol or Pamol can help with the ears during the flight, Precosa for the stomach problems like diarrhea
- Sunglasses : Use sunglasses on you and also on the baby, if it’s just possible. In our case, they are on the ground immediately, so we are just extra careful with the casting or taking turns by carrying and fishing as the baby is without the sunglasses most of the time. Hat and sun cover of the backpack keep him away from the sunlight
And
the lesson number one:
Don’t
look for the fish rising, you are going to miss them anyway when
changing diapers or running after kid. Just give a try for every
fish you see, with every fly you find from your box!
And
then two:
Don’t
waste your time sneaking to the fish, one scream from your backpack
will ruin the only chance you have. Just make a quick cast where
ever you can and hope for the best.
Baby
year was easy for us to fish together but I think we have more
challenging times ahead as we have a toddler now. But we are open
minded and excited for exploring together no matter what. Maybe soon
it is time to teach our son to cast himself? Or what about the
bellyboat? Well, it will be another story then…
