At eight years old, Beth Dicken-Jones is already something of a master in the angling world.

For the bubbly youngster has been fishing with her dad on a regular basis for the past three years and is so competent in the sport that she even ties her own flies.

Beth spends hours meticulously tying the flies, based on patterns taught to her by her dad.

And she has even made up some of her own little creatures which she uses to lure her catch.

Her mum, Ros, said: “Beth can get really absorbed in making her own flies. She uses coloured cottons, feathers and all sorts of wire and hooks to make them.

“It’s really fiddly and takes a lot of patience but she is able to stay with it until it is done. The trick is to make them look like real flies and she has amazed us by making up some of her own. The more successful the fly, the better the fishing and she seems to be doing pretty well.

“All of the flies she has made have different names and she seems to know quite a bit about them.

“It keeps her occupied from time to time and she really seems to enjoy doing it.”

The flies are made out of coloured cottons and feathers and require a great deal of patience to make.

Most anglers refer to numerous books on the subject such as the latest title from broadcaster and comedian Mike Harding.

Ros said: “Beth went to meet Mike when he was signing copies of his book A Guide to North Country Flies. She was really excited because she wanted to buy the book for her dad, Steve, for Christmas.

“She said Mike was very nice and very kind and they had a good little chat about fishing. I think he was surprised to have a young girl who not only went fishing but who knew how to tie her own flies.”

The family, who are from Ben Rhydding, spend their summer holidays in the north-west of Scotland on various fishing expeditions.

Beth is joined by her brother, Luke, 10 and dad Steve a teacher at Swallow Hill Community College, Leeds.

Ros who, by her own admission, has nothing to do with the sport, said: “I suppose it’s a bit of a family tradition. Steve went fishing with his dad and his brother, Phil, when he was little and they carried on as adults. It’s been a life-long interest.

“Beth started going along with her dad at the age of five and really enjoyed herself. Since then she has accompanied her dad on loads of fishing trips.”

The family used to be members of Otley Anglers but have now joined with two Bradford groups – Bradford No 1 and Bradford City Angling Club.

They fish at Addingham on the clubs’ stretches and in the Yorkshire Dales at weekends.

Beth got her special child-sized rod, a six-foot fly rod, from Hartley’s auction rooms in Ilkley and soon became successful at fishing.

Ros said: “Over the years she has caught quite a lot of fish – all trout, mainly sea trout and brown trout. Luke and his dad have come home with pike but sometimes they put back the catch depending on the size of the fish.

“Beth is quite proud of what she has done and is not at all squeamish about it.”

Ros said: “We like to go to Lochinver in Sutherland to fish. Beth loves it. I suppose it’s the whole thing about taking a picnic with them, taking a camera to get pictures – it’s the whole experience of it all.

“They go on to the loch and there are dragon flies and frogs – it’s not just about catching fish, they enjoy being together in that environment. I, on the other hand, take a pile of books with me and just chill out!

“Fishing isn’t Beth’s main interest – she has lots of other hobbies, too, but she really does love going out with her dad.

“It’s a lovely family day out and it’s great that both Beth and her brother share the interest with their dad. They really have a good time together.”