What Non-Anglers Can Do On A Fishing Holiday

Let’s answer your big question: Will I Ever Get Bored on a Fly Fishing Holiday?

Well let me be blunt, you probably wont get bored – unless you end up in a place that’s basically just a soulless cabin in the middle of nowhere and they call it a holiday – which some unscrupulous operators might actually try to pass off as a holiday. To be honest, some of the best times I’ve had fishing have been with mates and partners who had no intention of getting their hands wet – as long as we picked the right place.

The secret to keeping everyone happy isn’t trying to convert the non-anglers into anglers. Its simply picking the right destination.

Whether you’re off to the beautiful Hampshire streams of the river Test and Itchen, the stunning valleys of the River Wye, the rugged Scottish Highlands, the Welsh Dee, or even some of the alpine rivers near Salzburg, modern fishing holidays are all about a lot more than just the water. Many of them are situated in holiday parks or country estates that offer hot tubs, spas, walking routes, farm shops and loads of facilities for families. This ain’t no endurance test – its a proper break.

Here are some things non-anglers can look forward to on a well-chosen fly fishing holiday:

• Long walks along the riverbank through some of Britains most beautiful countryside
• A lazy lunch in a quaint market town while the angler heads off for an evening rise
• Time to unwind in a spa, get your own private hot tub, or snuggle up in a lodge with a log fire
• Day trips to castles, distilleries, cathedrals, and stunning coastal paths
• Plenty of time to just sit back and read a book, sketch the wildlife, take some snaps, or just breathe in the fresh air
• Give the casting a go – just once – to see what all the fuss is about

The rest of this guide breaks down in practical detail what to do with the time when your partner, friend or parent is out on the river.

Making the Most of a Fly Fishing Holiday (Even if You Cant Stand Fishing)

If your only experience of fishing holidays is of wandering around commercial lakes with a messy bivvy and those blasted carp alarms going off in the middle of the night, fly fishing is a whole different ball game. Fly fishing involves trying to catch fish using artificial flies that mimic insects on tiny hooks – and you’d be surprised how entertaining a day it can be with no tiny hooks to worry about, and no screaming alarms to look forward to. Coarse fishing is all about catching freshwater species that aren’t game fish, but fly fishing generally focuses on trout and salmon, or the occasional grayling, and its all done with a much more civilised schedule.

A typical day on one of these pretty chalkstreams like the Test, or a Highland river might look something like this:

• 6:30-7:30: Breakfast, and the angler heads off for a day on the water
• 7:30-11:30: Morning session (best time for insect hatches and surface feeding)
• 12:00-2:00: Lunchtime – its usually a pretty relaxed affair, whether its a pub, a picnic or back at the cottage
• 2:00-4:00: Time to rest, take a walk, or do your own thing
• 5:00-9:00: Evening rise – your angler is out again, but now you’ve got a bit of time to yourself to do what you like

Most holiday parks have rules about how early the fishing starts and ends, so no ten o’clock dawners or midnight sessions to worry about. Rivers are divided up into ‘beats’ – which are like little sections with their own rules – so you have a rough idea where your angler is, and which footpaths are off-limits. And it means you are never worried about when they’ll come back.

As for fly fishing, the UK is just one part of a global fly fishing scene.

Alaska is famous for its salmon fishing, and for people who can stay on-land and lodge, with guided fishing trips. British Columbia is home to Pacific salmon fishing.

Costa Rica has the billfish and roosterfish and snapper, while also having offshore fishing for sailfish and marlin. You can have shallow flats fishing and tarpon in the Florida Keys.

In the Amazon you can go for massive peacock bass.

The Maldives is great for giant trevally and tuna, the Great Barrier Reef has its giant trevally, and New Zealand is known for the big brown and rainbow trout.

Norway has its deep-sea cod and halibut along with salmon fishing, with the added bonus of incredible fjord scenery. Saltwater fishing can be done from shore, a pier or even with a deep-sea charter in many of these places. KD Flyfishing offer tour destinations to Norway, Canada, Argentina and Chile with all travel and accommodation in beautiful lodges taken care of for you by experienced anglers.

But when you are considering a UK based fly fishing break, you get something that is generally a lot quieter, greener and more accessible – which is probably why it works so well for groups with mixed interests.

Destination choice is often the single biggest factor in determining whether a non-angler enjoys a fishing break – I’ve seen it go either way. My own best week ever was on the Wye, where my mate barely managed to fish two afternoons & the rest of the time we spent in pubs, exploring castles & hiking up to hilltops. On the other hand, I remember a particularly disastrous week at a remote Scottish loch where the nearest shop was 40 minutes away & by Tuesday the non-fishing half of the group was running out of things to do.

Here’s how three fairly common trip types stack up for mixed groups:-

Chalkstream cottage in Hampshire or Wiltshire (close to Stockbridge, Winchester or Salisbury)

• Non-anglers get: a visit to Winchester Cathedral, a wander around Salisbury, some time browsing the antique shops, a pint or two in a riverside pub, a walk through the New Forest & maybe a visit to a local garden or two – like Highclere
• Drive from London: about 2-3 hours
• Best for: couples, a short break, & first timers

Lodge beside a Scottish loch or river (Loch Tay, the River Spey or the River Dee)

• Non-anglers get: a visit to a whisky distillery or two on Speyside, a few hours exploring the Cairngorms, a chance to spot some red deer & golden eagles, a visit to a coastal village or two, & maybe explore a castle or two
• Scotland’s got loads of rivers & lochs offering salmon & sea trout fishing – which explains why it’s such a magnet for keen anglers
• Best for: people looking for an adventure, wildlife enthusiasts, & folks on longer holidays

Cabin in a holiday park in the South West or Cotswolds (Devon, Cornwall or the Cotswold Water Park)

• Non-anglers get: a visit to the beach, a coastal walk, some browsing in farm shops, a go on a surf school, a wander through some of the really pretty villages, & some time lounging in an indoor pool
• The Cotswold Lakes offer fishing on a number of well-stocked lakes – they’ve got family-friendly accommodation too
• Best for: family holidays, large groups, & people who want loads of facilities right on their doorstep

When you start searching for accommodation, make sure the venue actually mentions non-angling activities – like pet-friendly options, hot tub lodges, walking trails, or spa access – rather than just going on & on about trophy trout.

If the website is just wall-to-wall fish photos with no mention of anything else, that’s a pretty big warning sign for the non-angler in your party. The local area is just as important as the water.

Staying Comfortable: Accommodation Types near Well-Stocked Fishing Lakes that Suit Anglers & Non-Anglers

Your accommodation can either make or break the holiday for a non-angler. If your partner is off fishing for six hours, you want somewhere that feels like a proper holiday home, not just a damp annexe with a camp bed.

Types of accommodation you might find on a fly fishing holiday include:

• Riverside cottages with a garden sloping right down to the water’s edge
• Converted mills or farmhouses with stone floors & a wood-burning stove fireplace
• Modern lodges in holiday parks with decking, big windows & communal facilities
• Shepherds’ huts & glamping pods if you’re looking for something a bit more intimate
• Houseboats – where the line between accommodation & fishing spot gets blurred entirely – like Dinky Daze houseboat, for example

Here are a few real examples across different budgets:

For large groups, look at multi-bed farmhouse, sleeping 8-12, or clusters of lodges around a courtyard. Holiday parks like Tattershall Lakes – which has three well-stocked fishing lakes & a 15-acre lake for fishing – offer a range of lodges from budget to luxury. Woodland Lakes features one of the biggest commercial fisheries in the UK alongside easy-to-book accommodation. Fishing is available at Clawford Lakes, too, with various options to suit different group sizes.

Key things to ask when booking:

• Is the WiFi reliable (crucial for non-anglers on a rainy day)?
• Is there a drying room for wet waders & gear?
• How far is the nearest shop, pub or market town?
• Is the hot tub shared with dozens of other guests, or private?
• Are there washing machines & a half-decent kitchen?
• Is the cottage easily accessible for family members with limited mobility?
• Are there ensuite bedrooms, and enough space so an early-rising angler doesn’t wake the whole family?

Simple Riverbank Activities for Non-Anglers (Right Beside the Action)

You don’t have to stray far from the river to find some serious relaxation. Some of the most laid-back hours I’ve ever enjoyed on holiday were spent lounging on the riverbank, in comfy gear, with a camp chair, a flask of coffee and a good book while my friend got stuck into a fishing session not far upstream.

Here’s what you can do right there by the water:

• Get lost in a book or get creative – grab a nature journal or sketchpad; and let me tell you, the light on a chalkstream is just magical
• Take in the local wildlife – you can spot kingfishers, dippers, herons, and if you time it right (May and June, on the Test and Itchen) you get to see the mayfly hatches – and if you’re way up in the Scottish glens, look out for red deer, otters and golden eagles
• Get snapping – early morning mist, close-ups of fake flies on your hat, reflections at dusk… and don’t forget to pack something waterproof for your gear
• Take a short stroll along the riverbank – loads of beats have footpaths along the river; if you’re on the River Usk in Wales, you can walk for miles and explore all the hidden spots
• Get your binoculars out – river valleys often have bird hides; bring a field guide and see what other people see
• Get out the watercolours – the riverside colour palette practically paints itself – you just have to show up
• Just sit and watch – there’s something pretty special about watching someone else try to catch a fish; after a while, you start to see the world through their eyes

The bankside rules of etiquette:

• stay up river from the angler (just do it, trust me)\
• be quiet, keep your shadow off the water – and keep an eye on the dog
• don’t block access to the beat – some other poor bloke might need to get past. And yes, a first-aid kit is a good idea to carry around, especially if you’re out in a remote area.

A typical day: take a mile-long stroll upstream on the River Itchen, stopping at stiles and footbridges whenever the mood takes you. Meet the angler for lunch at midday in Alresford, then pop into a few antique shops in the afternoon. Finish the day off with a riverside pub supper – you know, just the perfect excuse to do nothing at all

Walking, Hiking and Wild Scenery: How about turning it into a walking holiday

If you’re the sort of person who would totally be happy to turn the whole trip into a walking holiday, by the by, and just happen to have a fly fisherman tagging along for the ride, then you’re in luck. Most of the best fly fishing regions in the country are in the most fantastic walking country you’ll ever see.

Walks tied to some of the best flyfishing spots

• South West: you’ve got the Exmoor and Dartmoor valleys, the South West Coast path and – in North Devon and Cornwall – the moors, the tors and all the wooded valleys
• Central and Northern England: Peak District lakes and rivers, the Wharfe and Ure in the Yorkshire Dales – limestone pavement, waterfalls, and dry stone walls
• Scotland: the Speyside Way, which follows the river through whisky country; Deeside trails near Balmoral; wild and wonderful paths through the Cairngorms
• Wales: paths on the Dee, Severn and Teifi; ridges in the Brecon Beacons – and in no time at all you can be at Wye and Usk beats

Planning your walks:

• Look for circular walks from your cottage that cross the main river – so you can give a wave to your angler mid-walk
• Use an OS map or Komoot to plan your route, check the gradients and find the waymarked paths
• Pack your wellies and waterproofs, because April to October weather in the UK is a total wild card every time
• If you’re looking for something a bit more relaxed, you can try the flat trails in the Cotswolds and Norfolk Broads – or if you’re heading to the Norfolk Broads and want to fish, many properties have that covered

Local Food, Pubs and Farm Shops: Eating Really Well While They Fish

Loads of the best fly fishing spots in the country are in some of the UK’s top food regions as well. This is your chance to turn a fishing break into a proper foodie holiday.

Riverside food heaven:

• Hampshire chalkstreams: riverside pubs near Stockbridge; go to Winchester for some evening restaurants; local trout farms and farm shop goodies
• Cotswold fishing breaks: farm shops and cafes near Cotswold Lakes, Cirencester and Lechlade; go for cheese producers, bakeries and craft breweries
• Wye Valley and Herefordshire: cider houses, local sausages and cheese – and if you’re in the area, Hay-on-Wye for bookshops and brunch
• Scottish rivers: distillery tours on Speyside (Glenlivet, Macallan), Aberdeenshire seafood – or try some west coast shellfish

Plan your non-fishing foodie day:

• lazy brunch in a nearby market town while the angler is out fishin the morning session
• afternoon at a vineyard or brewery while the angler’s having a go at the evening rise
• stock up on local goodies at a farm shop and cook back at the cottage
• have a pub supper by the river at dusk, waiting for your angler to finish upA note on eating the catch:

Lots of fly beats – especially on those iconic chalkstreams – are strictly catch and release these days. And in Canada, as well as the UK, catch-and-release fishing is getting more and more popular. So unless you’re certain the fishery you’re staying at lets you keep fish for supper – and even then, it’s best not to count on it, just in case – it’s always best to check with the fishery first and see how they feel about non-anglers making a meal out of the daily catch.

Days of Relaxation and Recharge

There are times when the best thing a non-angler can do on a fishing holiday is to do absolutely nothing – and do it in comfort.

Two scenarios to consider:

• Holiday parks with spas, pools and all the works: places like Forda Lodges in Cornwall offer a proper bill of goods: a heated indoor pool, a hot tub, games room and comfy communal spaces all in one neat package, and just a step away from their well-stocked fishing lakes. Then there’s Tattershall Lakes – with its three fishing lakes on site – which also offers a variety of leisure facilities for non-anglers to enjoy
• Rural hotels and country houses near the famous rivers: some of the lodges along the Spey, Dee, Tay and Wye offer fantastic day spa packages – book a morning of treatments, then meet your angler for lunch afterwards. It’s a great way to make the most of your holiday

Planning “swap time”:

• Angler gets out on the water 6-11am, you chill with some lunch, then off to the spa or hot tub from 3-5pm – just in time to grab some snacks and get back to the lodge for the evening rise at 7pm
• Make sure to book those spa treatments well in advance for the school holidays and bank holiday weekends – it gets very busy
• Check the age restrictions at the spa and make sure you bring a decent change of clothes, including swimwear and flip flops

A private hot tub on the lodge decking, a glass of local wine in hand and the soothing sound of the river bubbling away in the background – that’s not a consolation prize, that’s the whole point of being here.

Family-Friendly Options: Getting the Whole Family Involved

A fly fishing holiday doesn’t have to be a non-starter for families with kids. If you pick the right place, you can get the whole family entertained while still giving the angler access to the good fishing spots.

Child-friendly locations:

• Holiday parks that have safe fishing lakes, play areas, indoor pools and all sorts of fun activities on site – Retallack Resort in Cornwall is a great example: two small lakes alongside family leisure facilities
• Cottages that are close to great family attractions like the New Forest, Welsh beaches, Longleat or the Norfolk Broads – a parent can slip off to the river for a few hours while the family gets on with the day

Kid activities near the fly waters:

• Pond dipping in side streams – a great way to get the kids into nature and spotting all sorts of water creatures
• Mini casting lessons on the lawn (there are loads of local fly schools that offer family taster sessions)
• Cycling on traffic-free trails along the river valleys
• Visiting castles, wildlife parks, farms and beaches
• Exploring the edges of small lakes with nets and wellies (just make sure they’re supervising the kids at all times)

Practical stuff:

• Good Wi-Fi at the lodge helps keep the kids entertained on rainy days
• Give yourself at least one full day off from fishing to get out and do some family exploring
• Always keep an eye on the kids near water – even if there’s a parent with them, kids can be unpredictable
• Life jackets near deep water, and make sure to lay down some ground rules about not trying to explore unknown beats without a grown-up
• And on the subject of clothing, make sure the whole family is kitted out with comfy gear that’s going to keep them happy all day

Bringing the Dog: Pet-Friendly Fishing Holidays

If your non-angling mate has a four legged companion that comes with them everywhere, a pet-friendly fishing holiday is the way to go. Loads of riverside cottages, farm stays and holiday parks with fishing lakes welcome dogs, and the walking country around the fly waters is often absolutely stunning.

Good walking country near the fly waters:

• The South West moors and wooded valleys that surround the Taw, Exe and Torridge rivers\
• The Cotswold lanes and lakeside paths around the Water Park\
• Scotland’s glens and loch-side tracks with miles and miles of open country to explore

Doing the right thing:

• Keep your dog on a lead near livestock and beaten fishing pools\
• Never let your dog swim through a pool that’s being fished – it’s a nightmare for the other anglers and will only get you into trouble\
• Clean up after your dog on the paths and in the holiday park – no excuses

What to look for in accommodation:

• An enclosed garden so your dog can run around without getting into trouble\
• Tiled or wood floors in the house – easy to clean, especially after a muddy dog has been through\
• A hose point for washing off muddy paws\
• Places that welcome dogs as standard, without charging extra for it – you get what you pay for

Short Lessons and Experiences for Curious Non-Anglers

You don’t have to commit to becoming an angler to give it a try. If you’re curious, a half-day lesson is a great way to get a feel for the sport – and it makes for a shared memory that’ll be talked about for years to come.

Common options:

• A half-day casting lesson on the lawn or a small lake with a local expert in Hampshire, Wales or the Dales – you can get a real feel for the sport without getting bogged down in all the details* Introduction to fly fishing days that run at local schools on stocked trout fishing lakes usually available April to October.
• Family taster sessions at holiday parks that have lakes and on site instructors – and the bonus is they’re usually well stocked too.

What you’ll need (not much at all):

• To be honest you don’t need much gear to start with – just rods, reels, hooks and lures – and good news is many schools will provide all the kit so you don’t have to worry about buying all that stuff. Plus, rods, reels, flies and waders are all usually sorted for you.
• Rod and reel choice is important, but for the most part schools will sort that out for you, so you don’t need to worry about it too much.
• England and Wales have a rule that anyone over 13 needs a rod licence to fish in freshwater – but loads of private tuition sessions take place on enclosed waters, so check with the school and current rules from Gov.UK before you go.
• You don’t need two rods, bait or barbless hooks for a beginner session – just your willingness to have a go and not take yourself too seriously while you get the hang of it. And don’t worry if you look a bit silly on your first few casts – its all part of the fun!

Frame the whole thing as a right laugh, not a formal test. Even getting a basic overhead cast right in one afternoon is a great way for non-anglers to connect with what draws people to the water in the first place – the rhythm, the beauty and the patience.

Non-Fishing Day Trips By Classic Fly Fishing Rivers

Off you go on a non-fishing day and get everyone to do some exploring together for a week long holiday. Here are some pretty good combinations within 30–60 minutes of popular fly fishing places:

Near a River Test or Itchen base:

• Winchester Cathedral and the centre of town – it’s all within walking distance
• Stonehenge and Salisbury – a great day out
• New Forest walks and ponies – and of course some great cycling routes too
• Marwell Zoo if you’re travelling with kids

Near a Wye or Usk base:

• Bookshops in Hay-on-Wye (and the literary festival if you can get there at the right time)
• Brecon Beacons and waterfalls in the Black Mountains – hiking heaven
• Hereford Cathedral and a brewery tour – cider lovers will be in their element
• Tintern Abbey – a beautiful place to visit

Near a Spey or Dee base:

• Take a whisky tour – the Glenlivet, Macallan or Glenfiddich
• The Cairngorms national park – great walking and wildlife (reindeer and osprey spotting)
• Take a stroll along the coast to places like Stonehaven or Lossiemouth
• Visit a few castles – Cawdor, Balmoral and Dunnottar are all good ones

Seasonal notes: lots of the castles and attractions close up shop outside the main summer holidays and depending on the time of year you go, different fish species are active, which can make a difference to when your angler wants to be on the water and so on. If you’re planning a trip during the school holidays, book those whisky tours and castle visits well in advance – places get booked out

Practicalities for Mixed Groups: Rod Licence, Budgets and Planning

All the legal stuff (in plain English):

• In England and Wales, anyone over 13 needs a rod licence to fish in rivers and most lakes – and fishing permits require everyone to be licenced. But dont worry loads of private tuition sessions operate on enclosed waters, so check with the school and make sure you dont get caught out
• Planning a fishing trip means making sure you’ve got all the necessary permits and licences – planning ahead is the key
• Scotland is a bit different – its all about permits and rights from local waterways and riparian owners rather than a central licence
• Non-anglers dont need a licence unless they actually fish

What are the costs (approx):

Note the costs can be higher if you have a super exclusive chalkstream to yourself – but on the other hand, if you book a cottage for a large group, you may find the accommodation costs come down – lake day tickets on holiday parks are generally much cheaper than fishing on a major river beat.

Planning tips for large groups and friends:

• Get a shared calendar going to block out the fishing days and days when everyone heads out together
• Decide in advance on quiet times – eg early-risers need the lodge to be quiet at 5:30am, while night owls need some space
• Work out in advance how the costs will be split – dont make the non-anglers subsidise fishing permits they dont use
• Fishing trips often depend on the weather and tides, so be flexible
• Book shoulder season (April, May, September) for good fishing, fewer crowds and better accommodation availability
• Pack some essentials like a first aid kit and waterproof case for your electronics – river valleys and lake fishing locations can be a bit cut off from civilisation

A note on the wider world: booking a fishing holiday thats a bit more than just catching fish – you know, kind of like how Woodland Lakes in the UK is a massive commercial fishery but its also got some pretty amazing accomodation & guided trips – or even heading to a place as far flung as Alaska where you can combine fishing with a whole heap of other stuff like staying in a lodge or going on guided trips. So its clear now that mixing fishing with a broader holiday experience is the norm, not some afterthought. You can fish at places on the Norfolk Broads during the season, or hit up Cotswold Lakes which has multiple lakes all stocked with fish, or head to parks like Tattershall Lakes which has got three well-stocked fishing lakes. Whether you’re into lake fishing on a well-stocked lake, trout fishing on a chalk river or even common carp and bream on a holiday park venue, the principle is the same – you need to consider the whole family not just the angler.

Making It a Holiday for Everyone: Some Last-Minute Advice from a Seasoned Riverhand

I’ve been carting non-fishing partners, kids, mates & at least one very reluctant mother-in-law to rivers all over the country for two decades now. And I’ve learned three things that make all the difference between a holiday everyone remembers fondly, and one that has everyone going quiet on the way home while one of the others is fuming in the passenger seat.

First of all, pick a destination that has plenty going on beyond just the fishing. If the only real reason to go is that there’s a good head of trout, then you’ve basically booked a fishing trip, not a holiday. Look for somewhere with some walking trails nearby, some good places to eat, some culture, and some decent comfort – the kind of place where even if the river blows out, you’d still have a fantastic time.

Next, make a plan for shared activities and some solo time too, and do it before you even leave. Block out which mornings are off to the river, which afternoons are for group activities, and which days are for bigger excursions. The angler gets their water time, the non-anglers get their spa, their walk, or their castle visit. You avoid that bored feeling of waiting around for someone else. And – weird as it sounds – a relaxing break actually benefits from having some structure.

Third, keep the lines of communication open so that everyone doesn’t feel like the whole trip is just one long fishing trip. Ask the non-anglers what they actually want to do. Let them choose the pub, the walk, the daytrip. Give them the car keys while you’re off fishing – it makes all the difference between a fishing holiday and them having a holiday too.

We once had the best week ever in Cornwall – some of the gang fished early and late at a tiny lake, while the others went for a walk along the coastal path, surfed and popped into some local farm shops. We got together every evening for supper. Nobody felt left out. Nobody was bored. The angler caught fish, the non-anglers caught some amazing sunsets. And we booked the same place the following year.

Even if you don’t so much as pick up a rod, a fly fishing holiday can still be your perfect trip – an excuse for a quiet book, some long walks, some good grub and a hot tub under the stars. The river becomes just the soundtrack, rather than some obligation. Plan it right, and everyone will be going home wanting to go back.