Every now and then you hear about 'kid's fishing days' that someone puts on. These fishing derbies can be a lot of fun. Sometimes they’re put on for the under-privileged kids, sometimes for dads who never learned to fish. In this one day, how much can they learn?
You see there's a flaw with these derbies.
Let's say the child DOES get interested in fishing and wants to learn more. They get excited about going again. But, they look around and there's no one to take them. Over time, they may lose interest and we have lost another person to help our 'flock' grow. As the older portion of our 'flock' leaves our sport due to health, disabilities or death, there aren’t as many ‘newbies’ to come on board to take their place. That’s what I mean about ‘negative growth’. License sales are WAY down over the last 5-10-15-20 years. Look it up. The same can be said for hunting.
If you do take a child fishing here’s a few tips: a). Remember, it’s their day. If they want to fish with a big ‘ol hunk of bubblegum, let ‘em. b). make certain they catch fish (bream and panfish are great species to start them on). c). when they’ve had enough, leave. Don’t force them to stay.
Are you a mentor to some child? Do you take them often? I don’t mean every time. Or, do you feel good about yourself for taking a child fishing just that one day? And leaving it at that? And if you leave it all that you’ll never know if you may have stirred something in the child to enjoy our sport.
So, do you take a child fishing, other than family? If we don't, we'll continue to have 'negative growth' in fishing AND hunting.
Just something to ponder…
Welcome 1LipRipper, very good article. It's true and I believe one thing to consider is when getting kids involved in fishing, be sure to show them how to fish with anyone that will take them to a water. The other adult in their life doesn't have to be an angler, but the kids need to learn how to fish with a piece of line and stick and basic rig. I have even fished with a willow stick, line, hook and sinker and caught lots of fish.
We could put together all our old fishing gear and have a day for kids to come and take what they want. Our hand me down gear is much better than none. But if we can get some new gear for them, that's that much better. We have 100 rods and reels promised to us for helping teach kids and hopefully we'll be able to get some fishing gear to give away.
Thanks 1LipRipper and glad to see you around. How's the fishing down south? Any leagues in that area?
I just keep thinking about when I was a kid. After I had the spark to get fishing, I grabbed a rod or made one, and went down to the river, even if I had to use my bike. I picked crawlers, turned rocks for worms, dug em, whatever to get the bait, but I got fishing and caught lots of fish from waters people didn't even think had fish. So getting the spark going is the big thing. If a kid gets it in their mind they like it, they'll make it happen. Even on their own or with buddies, either walking or biking to a water nearby.
I think another very important thing to keep in mind is that our sport counts on even the non-anglers seeing that we are not hurting our resources and it is a good sport. For that to stick with people they need to meet us and get a taste of fishing. Kids are the nature ones to be teaching about it. But anyone wanting to learn should have the opportunity to get out fishing. Hey I have brought many people out fishing, as have lots of our members. That is something that we as anglers should make time for. It's an investment in protecting our sport and rights to fish.
I have a bunch of old and new fishing gear that I would give kids, maybe we should set up a day and place to get some fishing gear to kids. What do you think, anyone else have some gear to donate? Or will help hand it out? We could plan this now and do it later this summer.
I did want to add one more thing. Kids are great online and use their computers a ton more than most adults. We are available here and on many other websites, there are others that would gladly help kids get out fishing, be it answering questions, pointing them to how to do it for nearly free, etc. I know that many kids don't have someone that fishes in their family or that takes the time, but we can help get them fishing by letting them know how we did it as kids. Hey my family was extremely poor and I got out fishing for basically free and they still can. Any kids that know me will get help if they want to get out fishing. Just talk to me here or anytime you see me or have your parents contact me, I'll get them out fishing some how.
Fishing is a great sport for kids and a much better hobby and environment for kids then many of the other choices.