Dad Takes You Fishing

A day of fishing for fathers and children on the Lete River

"Dad Takes You Fishing" is the annual event that, at the beginning of summer, transforms the banks of the Lete River into a large outdoor classroom for the children of Prata Sannita, a small town in the province of Caserta, Campania. The initiative—also known locally as "Dad, today I'm taking you fishing"—invites little ones to pick up a rod for the first time alongside their parents in one of the most picturesque corners of the Matese Mountains. It is not a competition in the traditional sense: it is a morning of discovery where the most important result is the time spent together.

Who organizes the event

The event is promoted by the Prata Sannita Amateur Sport Fishing Association, with the support of the FIPSAS Provincial Committee of Caserta, the Italian sport fishing federation. The success of the day is made possible each year by the Municipality of Prata Sannita, the Civil Protection, and a network of local volunteers. Among the most active promoters is Olindo Cardillo, a member of the association and provincial committee councilor for youth activities. The seventh edition was also attended by Agostino Navarra, president of the Matese Regional Park, highlighting the link between the initiative and local environmental protection.

How it works

• Participants meet at the "Porta di Lete" clearing, just outside the village, where volunteers welcome the families.
• Children are taught the basics of sport fishing by association members: assembling the rod, casting, and waiting.
• Fishing practice along the river, with fathers by their children's side at every station.
• A final social gathering and the presentation of a commemorative medal to every child: there are no winners or rankings, the real prizes are the smiles.

In the 2025 edition, over fifty children took part, a remarkable number for a village of only a few hundred inhabitants.

The Lete River and the fishing reserve

The Lete rises from the Matese Mountains and flows with clear, fast waters, shallow beds, and large boulders in an environment that has retained its natural beauty. The stretch between the decommissioned ENEL power plant in Prata Sannita and the paper mill in the territory of Pratella is a reserve managed by FIPSAS, populated by brown trout, chub, and eel. The fishing season runs from the last Sunday of February to the first Sunday of October, and every year the watercourse undergoes fish restocking operations conducted in conjunction with the nearby Volturno. A government license, FIPSAS membership card, and concessionaire authorization are required to fish.

An educational and environmental initiative

The local association carries out two fixed appointments throughout the year: the day dedicated to children and the ecological race on the Lete River, both designed to raise awareness of the Matese's natural heritage. Fishing thus becomes an educational tool: it teaches respect for the environment, patience, and attention to the water cycle and wildlife. In the same spirit, a training course for children aged 6 to 14 was created to provide continuity to the experience gained on the riverbank.

Prata Sannita, a village in the Matese

Perched in the upper Caserta area, on the border with Molise, Prata Sannita is a stone village overlooking the Lete valley, famous for the waterfalls that dot the river's course and its medieval historic center. The municipality, which has participated in environmental initiatives like the "plastic-free" program for years, is part of the Matese Regional Park: an ideal destination for those seeking hikes, cool waters, and mountain landscapes a short distance from Caserta and Naples.

Who is the event for

The day is aimed at families with children, including those who have never fished before: equipment and assistance are guaranteed by the association's members. It is the perfect opportunity for a weekend in Campania to discover slow tourism, made of nature, traditions, and community.