Our Fishing Clinics Coordinator Sedin Hasanovic recently hit the road with fishing instructor Brody Laroux to deliver fun-packed and educational kids fishing clinics over the school holidays in the Mid-West. This is his account of how the tour went.
Recfishwest’s Mid-West Kids Fishing Clinic Tour, proudly sponsored by Healthway, has once again inspired a new wave of young anglers across the Mid-West!
More than 300 kids took part in our fun, free community fishing clinics over six action-packed days during the school holidays. The kids learned not just how to catch fish, but how to live a healthier outdoors lifestyle, stay SunSmart and connect with nature and their community.
Reeling in the action: from Lancelin to Geraldton
The tour kicked off in Lancelin, where Lancelin Aquatic and Angling Club legends joined forces with us at the Service Jetty (thanks Peter, Pat, and Mark!).
Kids and families got hands-on with fishing basics, environmental care, WA’s fishing rules, and even met the Sea Rescue Crew for a fun safety session. Whiting, herring, skippy, wrasse, juvenile pink snapper, tarwhine – you name it, the kids caught and released it!
Next up, Cervantes turned on the classic Mid-West wind, but that didn’t stop a crew of eager kids and even a few Lancelin “clinic followers” from landing herring, trumpeter, and pinkies off the jetty. It was great to see families returning for another session.
Jurien Bay was a standout with two fully booked clinics and non-stop fishing action. Local teens jumped in to help younger kids and even assisted with the pack-down, showcasing community spirit at its best.
Big thanks to Jurien Bay Seasports for the bait and prizes along with the supportive Jurien Bay Shire.
Green Head and Leeman decided to mix up the conditions with either calm water or howling wind. Thankfully both locations still delivered memorable clinics with local kids braving the elements and landing some classic Mid-West species. Thanks to the Shire of Coorow for welcoming our first-ever clinics in these spots!
Dongara was next, where plenty of new faces from local and recently arrived families got their first taste of fishing, thanks to support from Dongara Tackle and Sport and the Shire.
In another great showing of community support, local kids jumped in to help out with the fishing clinic, creating a welcoming, friendly vibe and even helping youngsters safely unhook and release fish.
Finally, we wrapped up in Geraldton with clinics on the beautiful foreshore. This fishing-mad town produced plenty of cherished Mid-West species such as whiting, flathead and even a cobbler (carefully handled and released by the pros!).
More than fishing: building skills for life
Throughout the tour, we started every clinic with essential messages about being SunSmart, looking after the environment and fishing safely.
Most importantly, these clinics are helping kids build the skills and confidence to enjoy fishing long after the clinic ends. For many, this was their very first time with a rod and reel, and the smiles said it all!
Clinics like these show just how keen families are to get outdoors, try something new, and help their kids discover a lifelong and healthy hobby. By the end of the tour, more than 300 kids learned the basics, made new friends, and walked away eager and ready to keep fishing with a newfound passion that will hopefully last them a lifetime as it has done all of us!
A MASSIVE thank you!
Massive thanks to all our local partners, Shires, tackle shops, volunteers, and especially our core sponsor – Healthway, for helping make this tour possible. Your support means more WA kids are living healthier lives and discovering the joys of fishing along the stunning Mid-West coast.
Check out the photo gallery below to see some of the great snaps from these clinics! If you wish to receive any of these images, please email sedin@recfishwest.org.au with details of the image you would like!
