As I scurried around the house making sure everyone was fed, dressed and ready for our 7am departure, my husband Steve got our poles and other fishing paraphernalia packed into the car. We arrived at the park to find our friends already there. While Steve threaded hooks, our six-year-old daughter at the time, Natalie, prattled on excitedly,
“I want to catch a clownfish,” she said.
Although she had never participated in a fishing derby before, listening to her talk to the other kids, you’d think she was a pro already.
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My husband is always up for a game of catch, just not with a ball and glove. Steve’s pastime of choice involves a rod and reel. Most would call that fishing, but maybe that’s because they aren’t used to catching. And he is never happier than when he is sharing his passion for catching with kids.
Hooking The Kids
School is out and many parents are looking for activities they can enjoy with their kids that will keep them off screens but won’t break the bank either. Consider introducing your children to fishing. I spoke with half a dozen parents and their now grown children who were introduced to fishing at a young age.
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Fishing with your children is more than just an outdoor activity. It’s a skill linked to fostering family togetherness. In the hub-bub of rushing through our lives with the daily grind of ‘wash, rinse, repeat’, fishing provides an opportunity for families to slow down and have more meaningful conversations with one another.
Slowing It Down
Fishing is a sport, but unlike a race, it is not linear or won by speed. It requires patience and offers opportunities for learning new skills like tying knots and baiting a hook. It encourages problem-solving skills such as selecting a spot for casting or choosing which kind of bait to use.
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Leaving behind the buzz of fluorescent lighting and blue screens and entering the calm, quiet setting of a small pond or creek reduces stress and anxiety as one takes in the sounds of frogs peeping, birds chirping and wind blowing through the trees. In between casts, children have an opportunity to explore their surroundings. Perhaps they notice tadpoles in the water or dragonflies skimming the surface. These encounters may spark an interest in learning more about conservation and ecosystems.
While my now young adult children never played sports, my afishianado husband, introduced them to “playing catch” when they were toddlers. I think our daughter’s confidence and love for the sport grew from her dad’s own enthusiasm and approach to teaching. When Steve takes kids fishing, he puts all of his focus and energy into giving them a good experience.
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“When fishing with kids, leave your own rod and reel at home,” Steve always says.
Advice From a Fisherman
With 50+ years of fishing experience, here are some fishing tips Steve offers to keep kids interested:
Catch Fish
If kids aren’t catching fish, they they’re bound to getting bored quickly. Make sure to take them to places you know have been recently stocked.
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Keep It Short and Sweet
Kids in general have a very short attention span. Select a location close to home because oftentimes a 30-60 minute fishing session is all they can handle. Another way to extend your fishing excursion is to take a break from casting to look for tadpoles, crawdads, snails and other creepy crawlies in between sessions.
Avoid Worms
Baiting hooks with live worms is not for everyone and can turn some kids off to fishing altogether. Instead consider using nicely diced, hotdogs or bread dough balls.
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
Scolding for improper techniques will turn kids off to fishing in record time. Instead, focus on their progress and praise them for it. For example, a child who casts without help or baits his own hook for the first time. In the beginning, it’s all about getting and keeping them interested.
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Bring Snacks
Attention and focus will wane if tummies are rumbly. Choose nutrient-dense snacks that don’t require refrigeration like meat sticks and nuts or whole fruit.
Be Mindful of the Sun
Choose to fish in the morning when temperatures are milder. Also, be sure to wear protective gear including sunscreen, hats and sunglasses.
Stay Hydrated
Even when temperatures are mild, bodies lose moisture quickly. Be sure to pack water. Insulated stainless steel water bottles are durable and keep water cool.
Learn Together
If you are new to fishing yourself, consider signing your child up for a learn-to-fish program. Many states offer these programs for free. The classes build on each other, each one focusing on a new skill. Oftentimes kids earn a piece of fishing equipment after completing each class. By the time they have finished the course, they have everything they need to fish and develop their skills long after the course has ended.
Missouri’s Department of Conservation offers a free, four-week program called Discover Nature Fishing. Each session is two hours long. Lesson one focuses on equipment, casting, and proper handling. Lesson two focuses on tying knots and baiting a hook. During lesson three kids learn about the five most common Missouri fish, their anatomy, habitats and lifecyle. During lesson four they learn all about fishing with lures and fishing regulations.
The excitement and thrill of catching a fish provides children with a sense of accomplishment. It bolsters self-esteem and confidence in ways they may have never experienced before, especially if they are not sporty by nature. And, unlike most other sports, fishing is one you may get better at as you age and one you can enjoy your entire life.
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