Squeals of laughter and beaming faces full of wonder, there are few delights in the outdoors that can match the look on the face of a youngster with a fish throbbing on the end of a line. Fishing with kids is the time to put your own needs aside; teach them, learn from them, watch them, and enjoy them.
The mistake that many adults make when taking kids fishing is expecting them to act, and react, as we would. I often hear parents berating a child for throwing stones in the water, poking at the worms, not paying attention to their line, or making too much noise. Maybe it’s just me, but I always thought the goal was to have fun. Keep that in mind and a magical bond will form that lasts a lifetime. You’ll find that even fishing with your older kids opens the door to a world that only you can share.
Make safety your number one concern. Every year children die unnecessarily because they have been put in unsafe conditions or because adults are focused on their own enjoyment instead of enjoying the kids. Even when fishing in a small pond it is a good idea to ensure that small children wear a lifejacket. It is even more important when fishing from a boat. Children move fast and constant supervision is a must.
Ever see the guy holding the $300 fishing combo that somehow thinks the five dollar cartoon character special is good enough for the kids. If you wouldn’t fish with a particular piece of equipment chances are the kids won’t enjoy it either. Broken rods, reels, and tangled line is not the best way to introduce a youngster to the enjoyment of fishing. Kids get distracted easily, they also get turned off easily if equipment doesn’t work properly. Fishing with poor quality equipment certainly isn’t fun. Shop for value; not just price.
Kids – especially young kids – just want to catch fish. They don’t care if it’s a rainbow trout or a rock bass and it shouldn’t matter to the adults either. A kid sitting on the bank reeling in bluegill one after another is sure to equate fun with fishing. On the other hand sitting in a boat for hours on end in the rain trolling for musky is a sure way to turn them off. Fishing is an evolution and the bottom rung of the ladder is to have fun. There is plenty of time to teach children the intricacies of fishing when they get a bit older and begin to look for more of a challenge.
A weekend trip to a cottage or campground can be a great way to introduce youngsters to the joys of fishing. However, it likely isn’t a good idea to drag kids along on a daytrip that requires several hours in the car. Take them on a short trip to the local reservoir, stream, or river. You’ll keep their attention and you’ll both have a great time. That being said, pick a time when you’re both in a good mood and ready to share an adventure. If you’re already stressed from work or little Johnny has a cold and is in a bad mood, leave fishing for another day. Remember that fun is the first criteria and if one of you isn’t in the mood to have fun it may be better to do something else. I often found that spontaneous fishing trips with my two boys were the most memorable.
Dress for the weather – and bug – conditions. Layered clothes are a good idea, especially if you are starting out earlier in the morning and expecting the day to warm up. Throw some rainwear in as well, just in case. If the day is bright and sunny, sunscreen and a hat with a broad brim is an necessity. It is essential to ensure that everyone is comfortable and to ensure this defense against the great northern mosquito hoards is also a necessity. Many a great fishing trip has been completely ruined by black flies, deer flies, and mosquitoes. There are a great many products on the market and let your own feelings towards the use of products containing “deet”. Products with lower concentrations of “deet” are available for young children as are many products that do not contain “deet”. Whatever your preference be sure you have some along. A bug jacket is also a good idea. They’re inexpensive, light weight, and they work. Don’t forget to pack some drinks and snacks, in fact some “surprise” snacks, that the kids don’t often get at home will add the experience.
So touch a worm, toss a rock, and have the time of their life.
10 Rules of Fishing with Kids
1. Let them have fun
2. Be sure they wear a lifejacket (not a bad idea to wear yours too) and are well supervised.
3. Buy good quality equipment.
4. Kids want quantity not quality.
5. Go someplace close, avoid long drives for a few hours of fishing.
6. Listen to what they have to say and share their experiences
7. Make suggestions, not demands and explain why.
8. Take lots of bug spray, sunscreen, and wear a hat.
9. Pack some drinks and snacks.
10. Show…don’t tell…them that fishing is fun!
©2011 Lloyd Fridenburg – All rights reserved click here for copyright permissions
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