Bring your kids up fishing and see how they develop in all other aspects of life
It was about two o'clock in the afternoon and it was so hot that it burned your hand to pick the bait knife up off the fish box. The sides of the fiberglass boat were even too hot to touch. It was one of those blistering summer days with no wind, no clouds, and essentially no fish. On days like these we used to pull the anchor, crank the boat and run around in circles just to cool off. Fishing on days like this really stretched the "fun" part of fishing, and it certainly was no time to have any young children with you.
I grew up fishing. I learned from my Dad how to start my kids out and what to do to get them hooked, so to speak. You see, he had done the same thing for me, and his uncle before him for even him. The kids all love to fish today, although, not unlike most of us, work and family situations prevent fishing as much as they would like.

So what was it that my Dad did and that I did that made a difference? Let me give you a few tips.

First of all, start them young. Get them in a boat, or on a pier, or on the bank at as young an age as you possibly can. Obviously this means being extremely conscious about their safety. Whatever you do, DON'T plan on any fishing yourself. If fishing is going to happen, the fishing will be done by the kids with your help! This lets you pay attention to them and not ignore them while you fish. I see too many parents getting frustrated with children who are "getting in the way" of their fishing. "Just get to the front of the boat and stay out of the way," one father said. And the son did exactly that. My guess is he never turned into much of a fisherman with encouragement like that.

Next, make sure you plan the first trips to someplace that you can actually catch a lot of fish. At this point, it doesn't matter what kind or how big, just make sure they can catch some. A small child's patience is very short, and waiting 30 minutes for a bite will turn them off in a hurry. You may need to go to a small pond where the bream are dying to eat bread balls. Any type of fish will do. Remember, this is for them, not for you.

As they fish, brag and cheer for every fish they catch. Make a really big deal out of it. Take pictures. And if its at all possible, take some home to clean. Let the child help you clean with a table knife, so he can't get hurt. My son was helping me clean snapper at about 2 years of age and he was really working out with that table knife trying to cut that fish. His grandmother asked him what he was doing, and he said, "I'm cutting the fish's face off." Grandma had to retreat back into the house to laugh!

Make sure he makes and sees the connection from catching to cleaning to cooking. As soon as you have the fish cleaned, it's into the kitchen to start cooking. I even let him flour and cornmeal the fish. Let him see the fish cooking, and talk about how good they are. Then when its ready, make sure you brag on the fact that HE(or she) caught these fish, and "aren't they good?!"

Once you do this routine several times, he will be dying to go with you, and will be waiting for you when you get back "Daddy is fishing today where you might get hurt - so you can help me clean the fish when I get home", tells them they can't go this time, but gives them something to look forward to. They will be waiting at the window looking for your return - maybe even having told Mommy to "get my cleaning knife ready".

Now back to the hot boat I was talking about. Yes, I was stupid enough to have my son with me that day. I thought he would burn up in that sun with his tender skin. I could have ruined it that very day, but luckily he had already been several times and caught a number of fish. Had that been his first outing, his mind would equate fishing to heat, discomfort, and boredom, and he would likely not want any part of this thing that Daddy does.

As your child grows older, make sure you equip him or her to fish. He needs "his own" rod and reel, tackle box, and fishing hat. Of course as he ages, those items will escalate in price, but its worth the money, believe me.

I could have been in a lot of trouble when I was growing up. A number of my high school friends did some really foolish things, things they regret. But my Dad had me fishing, and its awfully hard to get in trouble when you're fishing with your Dad.

My dad took me fishing early in my youth, from Florida to Minnesota. and everywhere in between.Even when he was busy, he would always take the time. Its something I love him dealy for. Kept me and my brother out of trouble.
As I got older, I got away from it, Got into some things I shouldn't have. Someone told me to get back to what you love doing. I went fishing, things turned around in my life. Its much better now.

The first time I took my son, he was 3. Now at 16 he loves to fish. I certainly hope he passes it along and I'm sure he will.
Its not about the ammount of fish you catch or the size. Its being out there doing what you love.

my mom has told me this little story about my dad sister when she was little my grandfather would take all of 10kids fishing and my aunt she had a bobby pin and a string and stick, she caught a fish that way. who was the smartest whip (HER!!)

My dad started me out fishing and snow skiing when I was 6......taught me patience, and gave me some respect for nature that I might not have had if he hadn't taken me, taught me, and the camping, river rafting and so much more were the best times of my life!

Yes! Teach them to fish and more!

(((SAGE)))

Fishing is a great family building hobby and its a life time passion for alot of people. Nothing like getting out on the water and making new memories with family and friends. What a great post for this time a year well done.

bravo

Dad brought us out to fish on the family boat....I never really caught any fish...but with 5 brothers and a sister, they caught most of the fish anyway...but I learned to love the water and find peace and calm on the water...

I will never forget those times or the fun we had..

um...how about i just spend lots of quality time? that way, you know...no poor little fishies get hurt in the process.

Thanks, Lex.

My brother is on the books to teach my son to fish. He already has a fishing pole for him. Now if we could only schedule it. It was something my brother shared with our Dad and now my boy and my bro will share it. Love some happy fuzzy childhood memories.

Teaching my children how to be self reliant, and whole, yes...to hunt and kill? No.

To use fishing as an analogy, yes...although I do not teach my children anything...they learn through observation,application and experience...I am but someone to observe...and if I am fortunate enough they teach me...or a better word...remind me..patience, wonder, joy, excitement, laughter, trust, faith, belief and most of all living in the moment..

yeah! what lee said!

well sweetie with the drought and extreme heat all the fishys in my private pond boiled this summer. but the youngin still loves to throw that hook out in the pond!! FISH ON SON!!!

in my community there are about 6 boys who sadly don't have a father in their life so Have been taking them, their siblings and mothers fishing every other weekend- it seems to make them a lot happier.

You're a good man Robert