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 FISHING
WITH KIDS
TAKE A KID FISHING-TODAY!
How to properly introduce your children to the joys
of fishing.
The early morning calm is suddenly broken by the
gleeful squeal of my eight year old daughter, the
low hum of her drag paying out line, and a wild
salmon thrashing on top of the water, desperately
trying to throw the 7/0 Gamakatsu from it's bony
jaw. For a brief moment I wonder how completely
different sounds can compliment each other so well?
Like the odd combination of peanut butter and
chocolate in a Reese's peanut butter cup, don't ask
why- just enjoy!
Hanging onto the out of proportioned rod with a
miniature white-knuckled grip, her tiny face
consumed by wide eyes and an ear to ear grin
reminiscent of Alice's Cheshire cat, she
methodically pumps and reels like a veteran angler
many years past her age. The image of Kelsey's
first King Salmon is forever etched in my mind, a
cherished treasure that brings me more pride than
any eighty pounder on my wall. I honestly think
that nothing could be sweeter to a loving parent
who also happens to be a fishing fanatic. Having
briefly relished this special moment countless
times since it originally took place, I now think
back at how my daughter and I managed to become
"fishing buddies."
Luck had little to do with it, and like most
special relationships or memorable times, some
initial work and careful planning reaped huge
benefits. The truth is that I had been working my
way up to this special day for years, nurturing her
fishing passion along little by little. Many
seemingly small choices along the way had the
potential to either make or break my little future
fisherman, and what may have seemed trivial to me
initially, actually gelled together to form a
strong fishing foundation rather than crush her
angling spirit from the start. The following is the
correct way to kindle the fishing fire within your
cherished youth, gently introducing them to our
wonderful pastime and creating a fishing partner
and outdoor enthusiast for life!
KEEP IT SHORT AND SIMPLE!
Here's a news flash for you: fishing is supposed
to be fun! Making it enjoyable should always be
your primary goal whenever you take a beginner
fishing. Something we adults sometimes forget is
that children have a very limited amount of
patience. Nothing is more boring to a kid then a
long day of doing the same thing over and over. If
your child wants to comb the shore or throw
rocks-let them. Making fishing trite sends the
wrong signal to kids. Keep your first few fishing
trips short and sweet, and you will have your young
fisher-people anxious to accompany you again and
again on future trips. Never forget, this day is
about THEM, not you. Pay close attention to your
'child's warning signs' and pull the plug on the
fishing as soon as the whining starts!
MAKE MINE SMALL, DAD!
The mighty King Salmon is quite possibly the
ultimate game fish to the avid angler who has been
chasing finned creatures for years, but all of the
qualities that make this fish so desirable to you
and I (like size, power, amount of effort per
strike) are precisely what a young angler does NOT
want or need. An average sized King pulls hard
enough to intimidate a beginning adult, just think
how this power must be perceived by a four or five
year old! If you take a child King fishing for
their first day on the water, you will at best bore
them silly and perhaps even scare them half to
death, turning them away from fishing forever.
This point was made evident to me one day when I
asked my four year old if she was going to catch a
big fish tomorrow. "No," she replied very matter of
factly, "how 'bout a teeny-tiny one?" She was
perfectly happy the next day catching seven-inch
planters smaller than my troll herring, but that
was just fine as we both left the lake with smiles
on our faces.
GAURANTEE SUCCESS!
Kids have short attention spans and need just
two things to make their day successful: manageable
sized fish and lots of them! You should choose your
child's first fishing trip with much forethought.
Consider the sage advice of a successful
businessman: "You only get one chance to make a
first impression." And just like the firm gripping
salesman who looks you directly in the eye when he
first meets you, the outcome of that first fishing
trip, be it good or bad, will forever be etched
into your child's memory.
As a professional fishing guide, the words
'guaranteed success' bring shivers to me. After
all, no one can reasonably guarantee fishing
success, right? That's what makes fishing so
special to us adults-the unknown outcome. But as a
fishing mentor and trip planner for your children,
your only 'unknown' had better be how many of the
slimy little critters you will catch! You have most
likely heard the old saying "that's why they call
it fishing and not catching!" Well, let me put it
to you this way: this is one instance where you had
better make it a CATCHING trip, not a fishing trip!
Do your best to find a fishery that is hot,
ensuring at least a little action for your budding
anglers. Try contacting your local Fish & Game
office for a tip. Find a lake that has been
recently stocked with hungry rainbows and you're
off to a very good start!
CHOICES, CHOICES, CHOICES!
Include your children in all aspects of their
first few fishing trips. Try to include your kids
in the planning stages, as it makes them feel
important and special. Children love choices, and
letting them make decisions, regardless of how
silly they seem to you or I, allows them to feel
more involved.
Let them wear their favorite clothes,
establishing the age-old tradition of a 'lucky
fishing shirt.' Prior to their first trip, let them
choose a special fishing hat, just like dad wears.
Always bring plenty of snacks, as consenting to
their choice of goodies makes fishing trips really
seem special. Allow them to decide what lure they
want to try first. The gaudy purple and pink
spinner they pick out might be the worst choice for
the conditions, but if you don't let them at least
try it, you may squelch that tiny spark before it
ever has a chance to ignite.
Tolerate the inevitable pillaging of your
favorite tackle box. Or better yet, take them to
the local tackle shop one day, permitting them to
pick out their very own tackle box filled with
little goodies to marvel at. Purchasing their own
brightly colored kiddy rod is a wise choice too, as
adult rods are much too unwieldy (and expensive!)
for their tiny little hands. Accept the fact that
their first rod will either end up in the water or
get broken somewhere along the way, and the loss of
a $19.95 'Snoopy Special' is a bit easier to
swallow for us thrifty parents!
 THE
PAY-OFF!
Why would any clear-headed adult go through all
the trouble, expense, and frustration of taking a
young child fishing? Tangles and birds-nests,
unlike any you have seen before, are inevitable.
Accept the fact that broken rods, spilled tackle
boxes, and lost gear is unavoidable. Wet and muddy
children are just part of it. . Whining and crying
will surely come. And as the bumper sticker says,
"Snot happens!"
But all of these hardships become mute points
when one considers the benefits of bringing a kid
fishing. Besides getting closer to your child,
fishing has the potential to subtly teach children
critical lifelong values and morals. Vital
qualities like problem solving will be instilled.
Nothing establishes self-confidence like a
successful first cast! Patience will be nurtured
little by little. Bring two kids along and lessons
of sharing can be included. Teach your child
respect for the environment by taking a short break
from fishing and walking the bank, picking up
litter along the way. Touch on greed with short
statements like "we only keep what we need" or
"this is a special fish-lets release it so someone
else can enjoy it." Quite often 'catch and release'
is easier for an 8 year old to comprehend than some
adult fisherman!
A child's enthusiasm is contagious, and it will
elevate your enjoyment of the sport to a new level.
You will pass on an important tradition to our next
generation, teaching them responsibility and
appreciation for one of God's greatest creations.
Finally, by introducing a child to fishing, you
will keep him or her off the streets and out of
trouble, giving them a valuable pastime that is
safe, healthy and lifelong. Take a kid fishing
today, and you will likely never forget that
toothless grin that says " look at me- I can do
it!"
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS:
1) Keep it safe! Always equip youth with a
personal flotation device (PFD) when on or near ANY
water!
2) Keep them warm and dry! Nobody likes being
cold, especially not children!
3) Keep those bellies full! Kids love to snack,
and special treats add to the fun!
4) Keep a few for the table! After a successful
days fishing, you can make their first trip a
'total event' by cooking up their very own catch
for friends or loved ones! (Grandparents love this
too!)
AGE APPROPRIATE SPECIES:
Step 1: Dollies, rainbows and grayling are
usually eager biters, providing good action for
first timers ages 2 to 6. Ice fishing is also a
good option for this age class.
Step 2: Pink Salmon are the next logical step
when kids show the confidence and coordination to
handle a bit bigger fish. They too are eager
biters, ensuring success for kids ages 4 and up
that still need a guaranteed thing.
Step 3: Silvers are quite a jump (pun intended!)
and are challenging and powerful enough for more
experienced fishing kids of age 6 and up.
Step 4: Kings are elusive and strong enough that
they should only be pursued by more advanced youth
of ages 8 or older. This advanced fishing is
probably best suited for those kids already bitten
by "the fishing bug."
Step 5: Big game fishing, like shark or halibut,
is best left for kids strong and confident enough
to handle big gear, big water and big fish. Young
teens are usually up to this challenge.
NOTE: These guidelines are based on the author's
children and his 13 years of professional guiding.
However, they are his personal opinion only and
meant to be a general guideline. Your young
fisher-person may be more or less advanced.
Check out our Photo Gallery to see more photos
of "Fishing With
Kids"
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