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Fishing | If Eemeli Peltonen weren't fishing, he'd easily be staring at his phone
🇫🇮 Finland /Culture & Society

Fishing | If Eemeli Peltonen weren't fishing, he'd easily be staring at his phone

From Helsingin Sanomat · () Finnish

Translated from Finnish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • Young people in Helsinki are increasingly taking up fishing along the city's shores as a relaxing alternative to screen time.
  • Teenagers and younger children are participating, often releasing their catches and citing the hobby as a way to unwind.
  • The trend is spreading through friend groups, with participants finding enjoyment in the activity and its connection to nature.

Helsinki's waterfronts are seeing a growing number of young anglers, who are embracing fishing as a calming pursuit away from digital distractions. The trend, observed along the city's shores, is particularly noticeable among teenagers and younger children. These budding fishermen often release their catches, prioritizing the experience over the catch itself.

If I wasn't fishing, I would probably be playing basketball or something else.

— Markus Polotan, 21Polotan explains how fishing serves as a relaxing alternative to other physical activities he might otherwise engage in.

Eemeli Peltonen, 10, and Rasmus Lepistö, 11, are among those drawn to the water. They fish about four times a week during good weather, finding the activity both "relaxing and fun." Peltonen notes that without fishing, he would likely spend more time on his phone. Lepistö, who only started fishing this summer, says the hobby is spreading through his friend group. "Eemeli once asked if I wanted to go fishing," he recalls, highlighting the organic way the interest is growing.

Fishing is relaxing and fun pastime.

— Eemeli Peltonen, 10Peltonen describes his enjoyment of fishing as a way to unwind.

Older participants also find solace in angling. Markus Polotan, 21, fishes to relax, stating, "There's nothing to do at home, so I came to fish." He sees it as a more active alternative to other sports like basketball. Polotan also fishes with his girlfriend, adding a social dimension to the hobby. Both he and the younger anglers emphasize the unwinding aspect of fishing, a welcome contrast to the constant connectivity of modern life.

If I wasn't fishing, I would easily be staring at my phone.

— Eemeli Peltonen, 10Peltonen highlights fishing's role in keeping him away from excessive screen time.

Good fishing spots in Helsinki include the Ruoholahti Canal and Kaisaniemenranta. While some, like Sakari Kelokaski, 12, will keep fish around 300 grams, Roni Kinnunen, 14, believes a pike-perch should be at least 45 centimeters long. Most young anglers, however, practice catch-and-release, returning smaller fish to the water. This approach underscores a growing appreciation for the environment and the simple pleasure of being outdoors, even in an urban setting.

Eemeli once asked if I wanted to go fishing.

— Rasmus Lepistö, 11Lepistö explains how he was introduced to fishing by a friend, illustrating how the hobby spreads among peers.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Helsingin Sanomat in Finnish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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