Six Tips for a Successful Fishing Trip with Kids in British Columbia

If you love fishing, you are probably hoping that your kids will as well. Many anglers have great childhood memories of fishing with their grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, or other fishing teachers. With Spring Break just around the corner, some of you will be venturing out on your first camping trips of the year. Here are some tips for a successful fishing trip with your kids:

1. Don’t splurge on the gear before you know if they will like it. Take the pressure off, and borrow tackle and rods for free with the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC’s Rod Loan Program. Many Tourism Visitor Centres have basic freshwater fishing tackle and gear available to borrow on your next camping trip. If this wasn’t the time to introduce your children to the sport of fishing, you didn’t spend a lot of money, and you can try again when they are older.
2. Have them practice casting before you go. Bring your fishing rod to a school field or park, with a small toy or ball tied to the end of the line. This way, kids can learn some techniques for safely casting with a rod before any potentially dangerous hooks are involved. Once they start to get the hang of casting, put hula hoops or other targets out on the field for them to aim at. Bring out your own rod, and make it a fun competition.

3. Wear sunglasses or other eye protection (not only your kids, but yourself too). Some of those casts can be a little off-target; protect yourselves.
4. Start with float fishing. Kids have a hard time reacting to the feeling of a fish striking a lure on the end of line, but they can see when the bobber goes under. Encourage your child to hold the tip of the rod close to the water so that when the float goes down, they just need to lift the rod tip high to set the hook.

5. Increase your chances of catching a fish. During Spring Break, many lakes in B.C. will still be frozen, but lakes on Vancouver Island and in the Lower Mainland will be ice-free, and the stocking of trout will have started. Check the stocking reports to see where catchable rainbow trout will be released, and try those lakes first.
6. Keeping your kids’ stomachs full and appendages warm will give you more time fishing. Snacks, warm socks, and fingerless gloves are the staples of a successful spring fishing trip.

Remember, kids under 16 years of age do not require a freshwater fishing licence in B.C., but still need to follow the provincial fishing regulations.

Good Luck!

For campgrounds in British Columbia go to the Camping Map.

Share your BC travel and camping photos using hashtag #campinbc #explorebc

It’s always a great day to #campinbc.

Whistler Fun with Kids (Without Hitting the Slopes)

Recently our family had the chance to head up to Whistler in the early summer for a quick day trip. We don’t ski or snowboard, so we were looking for fun activities we could enjoy off the slopes. Here are a few activities we enjoyed.

Before you go, we recommend you download a copy of the area map here: http://www.whistler.com/resources/pdf/maps/whistler_village_map_small.pdf.

Family Adventure Zone

Located at the base of Blackcomb Mountain, this adventure playground offers something for all ages. From bouncy castles to a rope zone and climbing wall to mini golf with lots more to keep you going. 

Summer Concert Series – Free

Held near the Olympic Plaza a line-up of great musical talent entertains visitors all summer long. Bring a blanket and enjoy a variety of music that will have you dancing in the streets. If you want to be sure to catch a performance during your stay, check out http://www.whistler.com/concerts/ to review what’s happening

We tried the chicken strips and fries, the pulled chicken sandwich with daily soup (yum!), and a twisted greens salad. With water for mom and dad and a small juice, this lunch clocked in at under $25 (plus tax and tip). Can’t beat that!

World of Curiosities at Whistler Library

Can a library be a tourist attraction? This one is! The Whistler Library has a fantastic summer program for kids called World of Curiosities. Reading programs, activity passports, nature, crafts and lots more.

Extend Your Trip With Camping 

Our trip ended there, but we were surprised to learn how many camping options there are nearby. In addition to a number of private campgrounds, there are several provincial parks and recreation sites within a short driving distance. Next time we’d consider one of the camping options and extend our stay.

Whether it’s a day trip or you end up spending the night under the stars, Whistler is an affordable year-round destination for families – even those that don’t ski!

For camping and RV accommodations near Whistler and elsewhere in British Columbia check out the Camping Map.

Share your BC travel and camping photos at hashtag #CampinBC

It’s always a great day to #CampinBC

Note: This blog was originally written by Morgan Westcott in 2015 but has been significantly updated since that time.

Published: March 30th, 2015