The fishing tackle shop The hunting corner now stands for a new one fishing competition for children and young people, 15 years old and younger, where the goal is to catch as many types of fish as possible during the summer. According to Ólaf Vigfússon, who owns Veiðihorn with his wife María Anna Clausen, the competition has exceeded the best expectations.
“We have never done this before. This is an idea we have been thinking about for more than a year and finally decided to implement it this summer,” says Ólafur.
“The reception has been great. Although the summer has just started, the number of competitors has already reached close to 500. We have not advertised this much, and I think that when the summer holidays really start, the number of competitors will increase by a few hundred more,” he says.
The competition is a joint venture between Veiðhorn and the hunting product manufacturer Abu. Participants collect species during the summer and there are three categories available; for those who catch three, six or nine fish species.
Connection with nature and family
According to Ólaf, fishing is increasingly popular among children and families.
“I have never seen so many children inside our shop as this year. There are an incredible number of newcomers starting to fish.”
He says it is important to remember that fishing is not only for those who engage in expensive salmon fishing.
“When people talk about how expensive fishing is, they’re often talking about salmon fishing. It’s actually a very cheap sport and a great family sport. You can fish all over the country, whether people are camping, traveling or just stopping at a dock.”
The competition is based on variety rather than size of catch. The children can, among other things, catch cod, roach and coal from the piers or char and trout in the lakes.
“All species count equally. You just have to send in a picture of the competitor with the fish according to the rules.”
Fishing is a very cheap sport and can be fished all over the country, whether people are camping, traveling or just stopping by the pier.
Photo/Submitted
Counterbalance to screen time
Ólafur says that the idea for the competition was not least to get children out into nature and away from the screen.
“It’s a connection with nature. Going outside, being outside and experiencing the environment. It’s also a certain mindfulness and an escape from the computer screen.”
On the website of the competition, over a hundred photos of young fishermen with their catch have already appeared. Remarkable fish have been caught, including a fish we didn’t know existed called Stóri Mjóni.
You can just see the joy in the eyes of the kids. Some are on a dock, others are out in nature. They’re great pictures and we’re starting to get little fishing stories with them too, which gives it even more value.”
Ólafur Vigfússon and María Anna Clausen own Veiðihornð together, but they have been fishing together for over 40 years.
Photo/Submitted
The grandchildren provided the inspiration
Ólafur says that his grandchildren played a big part in making the idea for the competition a reality.
“We have five grandchildren, and several of them are completely addicted to hunting. One six-year-old even introduces himself as a hunter when you ask him his name,” says Ólafur with a laugh. “They are always asking: ‘Grandpa, when are we going hunting next?’ So we thought it was ideal to do something fun that more children could participate in.”
Participation in the competition is free. Everyone who registers for the competition will receive a small fishing book with the rules of the competition and pages to record the catch, and those who send in a photo of their first fish will receive an Abu spoon as a gift from Veiðhornin. At the end of the summer, prizes will be drawn in each category.
“We hope to be able to hold a fun harvest festival in mid-August before schools start again,” says Ólafur.
The competition takes place throughout the summer and participants need to register at the Veiðhorn in Síðumúl or on the Veiðhorn’s website – veidihornid.is with the consent of parents or guardians. There they also get the Little Fishing Book, where you can record your catch and track your success over the summer.
“All the kids go fishing and have fun all summer,” Ólafur concludes.
