Casting a line. Some people are horrified by the idea, others love it. And many more people actually haven’t the faintest idea. They’ve never done it or never even thought about it. It’s a shame, because there’s hardly a better combination of relaxation and excitement all at once. And all this in the heart of nature. What does a day’s fishing in Groningen actually look like? To answer that question in part, we’ll take you fishing four times – each time in a different area. In this first instalment, we’ll be fishing from Lauwerzijl to the Lauwersmeer.
Pike fishing in the Reitdiep
You can, of course, fish from the shore, but for the ultimate fishing experience, you need to get out onto the water yourself. Today, the boat is setting off from Lauwerzijl into the Reitdiep. A trip past Zoutkamp to the Lauwersmeer is on the agenda. That’s perfect, because the Reitdiep is a stunning stretch of water for predatory fish, according to experienced anglers Jan Willem Wijers and Tamme Smit. So here we’ll be fishing for a real predator: the pike. A fish with as many as 700 razor-sharp teeth.
Trolls
No, not those little creatures with brightly coloured, spiky hair. Anglers know that ‘trolling’ refers to an effective method of predatory fishing. Lures are dragged through the water in de hoop that a hungry pike will sink its 700 teeth into your brightly coloured fake fish. These fake fish (which, incidentally, all have different names) come in all sizes and fluorescent colours. By dragging them behind the boat, they seem to come to life. A fish is carefully selected from the colourful collection box for today’s pike. ‘This is the one,’ says Jan Willem, ‘today we’re trolling with Ernie’.
“ “Today we’re trolling with Ernie.” ”
Jan Willem Wijers
Zoutkamp and the Lauwersmeer
More and more colour is also appearing on the horizon. These are the fishermen’s cottages in Zoutkamp. Once the ‘gateway’ to Groningen. Until 1960, Zoutkamp had a large fishing harbour, but when the Lauwerszee was closed off, the village lost this important status. Fortunately, it still retains the charm of an old-fashioned fishing village. Somewhere beyond the fishermen’s cottages, the Reitdiep merges into the Zoutkamperril. You wouldn’t notice it, were it not for helmsman Tamme slowing down a little later. When you look around, you realise why: Scottish Highland cattle and Konik horses graze peacefully along the water’s edge. Welcome to National Park Lauwersmeer. You’re right in the middle of it. Suddenly it dawns on you: when you drive past, you’re merely a spectator. On the water, you’re part of the impressive whole.
An open door for migratory fish
At the Robbengat lock, the boat is stopped. This should be a great place to fish for perch, but: you can't troll behind a stationary boat, so the gentlemen bring out other rods for the more active part of the fishing adventure. Angling themselves, as they do from shore. With a skilful sweep, they cast the rod out several metres and then calmly pull it back towards them. Successfully, as several perch bite. This is clearly a favourite hangout for fish. The fish-friendliness of this spot is also evidenced by the new lock gates installed this year.There are special holes in them so that migratory fish can swim through, even when the doors are closed. This allows fish to swim more often from the Wadden Sea into the Lauwersmeer and vice versa, which is of great importance for biodiversity. Improving the connection between the Wadden Sea, the Lauwersmeer and the waters beyond is the aim of the Fish for Connection project.
Recharge by the water’s edge
After catching about ten perch, it’s time for the anglers to head home too. The fishing was an adventure. Generally very relaxing, with the occasional welcome adrenaline rush. Excitement and, at the same time, clearing your head. You don’t even necessarily have to catch anything; the excitement lies simply in the idea that you might catch something. What will be on the hook? Small? Large? What sort of fish?
If you’re staying close to home this summer, be sure to head for the water – whether it’s a lake, a river or even the pond next door. Because after a busy day, there’s nothing better than recharging your batteries by the water’s edge. And why not take a fishing rod with you whilst you’re at it?
With thanks to Sportvisserij Groningen Drenthe.
