Predator fishing, an increasingly sporty activity, notably thanks to modern techniques (Texas rig, jigs, spinnerbaits, wacky rig…), is attracting growing interest among younger people. However, for various reasons, they rarely have the chance to get to the waterside and to be accompanied by a more experienced angler who can help them progress. In Berry, there is an organisation specially dedicated to fishing camps and courses for teenagers, to train them in this activity and make them the breeding ground of future generations of anglers.
On the borders of Berry and Limousin, close to the Eguzon dam lakes (36270), young people aged 8 to 17 can discover or perfect the art of fishing in fishing camps and courses specially designed for them. These stays have been organised for almost 20 years by the CEPS association (Centre d'Enseignement à la Pêche Sportive, the Sport Fishing Training Centre). The founder and director, Laurent LELOUP, is also a fishing guide instructor, a guarantee of real credibility and undeniable know-how. These fishing courses for teenagers are supervised by 3 qualified fishing guide instructors. They take place at varied sites suited to hunting our predators:zander, perch, pike, catfish and black bass .
“We are lucky to be located in a region whose natural heritage is still very present, where dam lakes, ponds and rivers are all close to the centre, in particular waters rich in black bass to which the association has exclusive access for its youth stays,” Laurent tells us.
The CEPS, an organisation specialised in fishing camps and courses for teenagers
The purpose of these fishing camps and courses for teenagers and children, beyond making participants independent in a simple fishing context so that they get the most pleasure from their future fishing trips outside the centre, is also a way of letting them discover some essential educational values (self-confidence, respect for others, accepting failure, questioning oneself, independence, decision-making…).
Laurent is well aware of this, as he sees himself first and foremost as an educator before being a fishing guide instructor.
During their training week, which includes 5 or 6 full days of fishing depending on the age of the participants, the trainees discover a great many fishing tips and techniques, taught with passion by their fishing guide instructor. When it comes to predator fishing, everything is gone through in detail, especially modern lure fishing techniques. So over a training session of 6 days of active fishing, the children study the Texas, Carolina and wacky rigs, fishing with jigs, spinnerbaits and swimming lures…and so on.
Camps adapted to teenagers.
To do this, the centre is equipped with many teaching tools made available to everyone, including DVDs, magazines, rigging equipment and an incredible number of swimming lures and soft lures in different colours, sizes and shapes. At the waterside, they then put into practice what their teacher has taught them and have all the means, in complete freedom and independence, to explore every corner and spot of the river, always under the watchful eye of the fishing guide instructor in charge of the group. All participants are equipped with dream tackle that the centre provides with the help of its many partners (SAKURA, DAIWA, AUTAIN PECHE, DELALANDE, PAFEX...).
Rods, reels, braid, fluorocarbon, a fishing bag containing scissors, pliers, soft lures, swimming lures, and caps in the colours of the website (www.pecheado.com), nothing is left to chance in equipping these young enthusiasts like real champions. Participants only need to bring their personal belongings, spare clothes and toiletries, and their fishing licence, which is essential for the activity. At the waterside, the fishing guide instructors do not hesitate to advise, explain and justify the choice of lures and spots… even if they sometimes spend a lot of time untangling lines for the less resourceful, or trying to rescue a few rare swimming lures lost here and there in the trees, they always remain attentive and listen to everything that is going on.
Qualified fishing guides to supervise
Once the day's fishing is over, the gear put away and the boats on their trailers, it is time to return to the accommodation. On the programme: a balanced and varied dinner where everyone will find something they like, then the planning of the next day with everyone's participation. If they feel like it, our apprentice anglers can also carry on relaxing in the world of fishing and cinema, with the hundreds of DVDs made available to them. In fact, at the CEPS, apart from discreet but attentive supervision and listening, everyone can manage their free time and rest as they wish, without going beyond a few basic rules of community life and good behaviour. At the CEPS, waking up is free, and everyone manages their sleep as they wish.
Guillaume, one of the centre's 3 fishing guide instructors, also tells us: “These fishing courses for teenagers are above all a holiday for all these young enthusiasts. Taking them out of the family setting and letting them manage themselves for a few activities really gives them a feeling of total change of scene and a real sense of well-being. Because let us not forget that fishing guide instructors who, like me, organise this kind of stay must have the children's enjoyment as their absolute priority.”
Once up, it is breakfast, shower, cleaning the table and putting away the dishes. If no distant outing is planned for the day, a theory lesson on a specific theme is offered to the children, before putting it into practice in the afternoon. If, on the other hand, an outing to a more distant fishing spot is planned, once breakfast is eaten and the shower finished, it is off to the equipment store. After loading the minibus, not forgetting the packed lunch, snacks, drinks, caps and sun cream, hitching up the trailer and securing the boats, everyone sets off for the day's fishing spot.
Our fishing camps and courses for teenagers, open to everyone...
“I want to make the activity accessible to everyone, and for the groups to be consistent with everyone's age and abilities,” Laurent tells us. Regarding the price of a week of fishing camps with the Centre d'Enseignement à la Pêche Sportive, Laurent explains: “We guarantee stays at affordable prices to allow access for everyone. As such, all our stays are declared to the departmental youth and sports authority, allowing the least well-off to apply for various forms of aid from the CAF (family allowance fund), municipalities, departmental councils or their works council. We accept payment by cheque, CAF vouchers, holiday vouchers, and even payment in 3 or 4 instalments free of charge.”
At the CEPS, the course periods are mainly based on the Easter, summer and All Saints school holidays. During the stays in April, the theme is a multi-fishing course. Indeed, predator fishing is closed during these course periods. For the lure fishing part, the fishing sites will obviously be private. Even so, there are many possibilities available for both pike and black bass fishing.
In the end, these particularly complete stays should satisfy all young enthusiasts. At the Centre d'Enseignement à la Pêche Sportive, we think fishing, we breathe fishing, we live fishing from morning till night. Even in our dreams…! Camps, fishing courses made and designed for teenagers and younger children ! This initiative deserved to be presented on the pages of your favourite blog.