Louis Hennevelt had never fished until recently. Now he can’t wait until he can throw out his rod again. He is sitting with a big smile along the waterfront in Hoogeveen.
“This is grandiose. This is really a revelation for me,” Hennevelt says enthusiastically. “I did not expect it to be so beautiful. I am completely devoted to it. It gives me peace.”
Whether you live independently or in a nursing home, organization fishing together thinks that everyone should be able to fish. That is why they bring local fishing associations into contact with residential care centers throughout the Netherlands. And so fishing club Het Vette Baarsje from Hoogeveen, together with residents of Bilderdijk van Treant, where Hennevelt lives, throws out the fishing rod.
“If you see and hear the participants, you are sold. Until I can, I will continue to do it,” says fish volunteer Bé Kleine. In the meantime he goes every week past three care homes in the city. The fish volunteers take as much work as possible from the residents. “For example, they don’t have to do the maggots themselves. Also because the motor skills no longer all allow it.”
More volunteers are always welcome according to Kleine. Hennevelt is just happy with his fishing buddies. “I take my hat for those men. They are grandiose guys.”
The first time Hennevelt was on the water, he immediately caught twenty -four fish. Today the counter is ten. But fish is not on the menu tonight. “Fish from a ditch, I don’t believe it will taste and I don’t like fish at all.”
The brand new fishing fan still has a big wish. He would like to go to a big puddle to fish. “For example, to catch a trout or carp. I would like to experience that one more time in my life.”
Curious how a morning fishing goes? Then watch the video below!