Katie Mitchell has sweet memories of her childhood, especially those fishing
with her mother. She remembers bamboo rods; learning how to bait her hook and
watching her
red-and-white bobber plunge beneath the water’s surface.
“My mother introduced
me to fishing when I was in kindergarten,” she
said. “She’d take me to a little
pond where I grew up in north-central Texas,
where we’d catch a lot of pan fish. It
was such a great experience, and one of the
main reasons why I’m still fishing today.” Little
did Mitchell know that those early mother-daughter
fishing trips would be the catalyst for her
future occupation as the public relations coordinator
for Bass Pro Shops in Springfield, MO. “I
probably wouldn’t be working in the outdoor
industry had my mother not taught me to fish,” Mitchell
said. “I’m glad I started.”
As the fishing season
cranks up across the country, more and more
kids will ask their parents to take them fishing.
Sadly, however, one or both parents don’t
know how to fish.
As an adjunct to the
learning process, Mitchell says Bass Pro Shops
offers families outdoor skills workshops, one
of which is on fishing fundamentals. The workshops,
which are free and open to the public at all
store locations this spring and summer, are
taught by fishing professionals and certified
teachers who have years of practical experience
on the water.
“ It’s really
a hands-on program,” Mitchell says. “We
touch on a lot of topics -- from proper equipment
to safety to basic casting skills -- so parents
can take their kids on the water and be at
ease with it.” Here are some tips for
parents to remember when taking their children
fishing, courtesy of Katie Mitchell with Bass
Pro Shops:
# Fish for success: While
adults might want to target walleyes or smallmouth
bass, Mitchell recommends fishing waters that
hold bluegills or crappies or stocked trout.
Catching a lunker is the dream of all kids,
but fast action -- not size -- is the key to
keeping them happy and content. “Kids
want to catch fish, that’s the bottom
line,” she said. “Walleye and bass
are often favorites of adults, but those species
require more patience and skill. Panfish can
provide more consistent action, which is a
great way to get a kid hooked on the sport.”
# Fishing isn’t
just fishing: Kids have short attention spans,
so they’ll need diversions. Mitchell
recommends that parents plan other activities
for their children when the fish aren’t
biting. Swimming, playing a game, having a
picnic and watching the birds are all good
ways to pass the time and enjoy the day. “Keep
it simple and short,” she said. “Kids
want to have fun, so make it as fun as possible.”
# Don’t plan on
fishing yourself: Parents should focus solely
on the needs of their children. Make the outing
special; shower them with attention. Concentrate
on keeping their polls rigged and hooks baited. “Make
it a positive family experience,” she
said. “If you do, they’ll (kids)
want to comeback for more.”
# Make it easy: You may
want to fish from shore rather than in a boat,
particularly if the kids are young. Fishing
from a dock is another option. “ If the
fish aren’t biting, kids will get impatient
if they’re stuck in a boat all day,” Mitchell
says. “Once they’re a little older
and develop a little more patience, that’s
the time to take them out in a boat.”
# The magic of bait:
Kids are curious souls, so include them in
every aspect of the outing, including a stop
at the local bait shop -- an entertaining place.
Don’t underestimate the appeal of worms,
minnows and leeches to kids.
# Bring food and drink:
This is mandatory, says Mitchell. Bring snacks
that are wrapped individually and impervious
to water. Bring cans of pop instead of bottles.
And always clean your mess up before you depart. “A
kid that has a snack is a happy kid, “ she
says. “Press the importance of cleaning
up after themselves, that littering is bad.”
# Safety first: As a
general rule, kids should always wear life
jackets, and they’ll wear them more readily
if they fit well. Also, don’tforget the
first aid supplies, bug repellent, sunscreen
and other essentials.
# Future conservationists:
Along with learning how to fish, kids need
to understand the importance of clean water
and other environmentaleducation. “When
you take a child fishing, consider it an opportunity
to touch upon some of the issues that impact
fishing, one being clean water,” Mitchell
says. “Conservation is a big part of
fishing. They go hand in hand.”
# Timing is everything:
Mitchell says that parents should limit fishing
trips to three or four hours, perhaps less
for younger children. There’s no surer
way to make kids dislike fishing than to force
them to say longer than they want to.
I have five daughters,
all of whom fish. Teaching them the sport has
been one of the most rewarding aspects of my
life as a father. I encourage all parents to
teach their children how to wet a line. It’s
a gift that keeps on giving.
Good fishing!
|
