Holidays: fishing, a new favorite activity for children?

Charles Guyard 12:03 p.m., August 05, 2022

It has become the top leisure activity among young people: fishing is attracting more and more new generations who no longer hesitate to abandon the ball or the console to go and tease the fish.

From the height of his nine years, Issa accumulates activities, such as football and basketball.

But a new one has been added to his program. 

"When you fish, you get a free meal"

With his friends, the boy has just spent a whole afternoon, cane in hand.

An outing proposed by the city and for which Kevin, the host, had no trouble convincing the young people.

"We are always full on this activity there. There are some who have already fished with dad or mom", he explains on Europe 1. Julian, 10 years old has already tracked the fish.

"It's fun to rode, bait, and discover new fish," he says.

"And in addition, when you fish, you have a free meal".

These days, it's not negligible.

Anasse, he is determined to continue.

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As many members of a fishing society as of football clubs

"One day, I'm going to buy a rod, I'm going to fish in peace," he says.

With a 20% increase in people under the age of 18 since 2019, fishing has managed to break its somewhat old-fashioned image and appeal to young people, including in urban areas.

Guillaume, who intervenes at the Fishing Federation, notes this.

"Whether in Paris or in Nantes, there is demand. You have what is called street fishing: a backpack, a fishing rod, a landing net and off you go! So that before, it's true that people took a big cart to put the seat, the keepnet, the landing nets, the bottom of the hold and so on. We have as many members of a fishing society as members to football clubs", he assures Europe 1. 

And that's how in the land of Mbappé, the cork is about to dethrone the round ball.