Fishing Instruction for Kids

ON THE WATER FISHING INSTRUCTION

About me-why do I instruct now, for free?

Before my mother's passing, she reminded me that when the family went on outings, it didn't matter what the "event" was-I would try to find water, skip the event, and fish. Still as clear in my mind as if it happened yesterday, was a grade school field trip. Picnic, softball, volleyball, tag, running races...everything a kid of the 60's could ask for...was planned. A large pond was part of the park where the field trip would take place. I couldn't sleep the night before, anticipating an entire day of fishing. And that's what I did. Of course some other classmates brought fishing rods. But I was the only one that stayed on the pond from start to finish.

Junior high and high school years I of course was distracted with the things most teens are distracted by. Good and bad. But as if it was as natural and necessary as breathing, fishing was usually included. Party at the springs? You can bet I was trying to land a few trout at some point. Got a date? I'd weave the romance of the water into the conversation to be sure we'd spend some time on the water-"Excuse me for a few minutes-I'm gonna fish. Enjoy the sights and sounds." It was about this point in life that I realized I was born with this "fishing blood". I don't recall ever having to learn much-I could just do it. But Dad fished a lot, and I suppose subconsciously I was picking up a few tips, from him.

I took some time off several times, from spending days every week in the woods and on the water. Probably questioning my assessment that outdoors fishing and hunting. "was life". By the 80's, I was ready to compete against more than outdoor elements, fish, and wildlife. I jumped into the pro angling world. B.A.S.S., Red Man, AmBASSadors (I believe is how they cleverly printed it), and other tournament organizations I participated. Made some money. Had sponsors. Back then, we had off seasons, unlike today. During the off season I would guide, or help guides by locating new groups of fish and passing the info to them so they could take their clients, to them. There's a fine line between "guiding", and "instructing". I soon found myself "instructing", or more of a long term guide trip.

Another break to coach sports-with just a day or two fishing each weeks-and I was ready to go back to fishing, and fish some more. A lot of things had changed in sport fishing. Including a certain amount of the social ills that plague modern living, seeping into sport and especially competitive fishing. And...I was about to retire. I never fished full time, so I did have a job or for a number of years, an outdoor business. Time to retire. A time to reflect on life, so far.

And I realized that for my entire life, anxiety, personal or health issues, focus, determination, confidence, survival skills, and the ability to compete were all positively affected by fishing. At the time I was observing children lost in their phones. "I need to teach kids what has made my life great!" I did some one off seminars for groups of kids-boy or girl scouts, other kid organizations. Still not what I had in mind. But now I'm retired. I don't want a large classroom. Or one on one instruction five days a week-a different student everyday. So as selfish as it may appear on the surface, I decided I would teach "one kid", the four seasons of "outdoors and fishing", or one year. Free to them.

Never had a bad experience yet. In fact, kid instruction taught me a few things I hadn't previously appreciated. One day, while working with a young man on a fishing jetty of a lake, though I tried to ignore her eventually I became obsessed with how hard a girl at least old enough to drive, was trying to fish and just-not-getting the basics how to keep her lure out of the trees, or getting said lure to the fish. Whew! I don't give up but with all of her trials and tribulations, I may have given up were I in her shoes. But she persisted. She would not give up. I burned her and her vehicle image into my brain, in case I ever saw her again where I fish. And I did, later. Still struggling but improving. I gently kept my distance and struck a conversation with her. In a nutshell, no one in her family really fished. Friends that did fish "just went fishing"-they didn't fish, like (I) or she did. But the revelation that broke my heart was her revealing she really couldn't go out "at will" and alone, like I do. Because it's a creepy world. My jaw dropped. I realized that the only thing that kept me from a life of outdoors and fishing joy, freedom, and everything it's taught me...is my gender. Not to say it isn't a creepy world for a young male, as well. But I understand the exponentially "more creepy" for a young fisherwoman trying to operate with freedom at will, in the woods and on the water. Not that I ever weighed my instruction or guiding choices toward males, but now I take some extra time to consider the added risks that daughters, females, face when wishing to run to the woods and water like I have all of my life, at will.

Expanding on the list below:

  1. The reason that I furnish equipment is to first, make use of a surplus of meticulously chosen equipment through the years. While I've mastered getting great equipment without spending a lot of money, what I expect a student to have may still exceed what a family can reasonably afford.

  2. I furnish base layers and outer (winter) clothing. It's imperative that a young one be comfortable outdoors four seasons of the year. Even more important than catching fish. And while I'm expert at choosing shoes, boots, socks, and other clothing of the right materials, it can be a matter of trial and error to a certain degree. Another expense a family may rightfully not wish to incur. (Basically, summer outer layers and winter mid-layers (same as summer layers) are sufficient with what the student may already have.)

Qualifications

  • Retired

  • 60+ years freshwater fishing

  • Numerous recognition awards

  • Former B.A.S.S, Red Man, and smaller but paying, tournaments competitor.

Expect and Expectations

  • No charge (free)

  • One year (four seasons) instruction

  • Walk in and bank fishing (no boats)

  • All equipment and tackle furnished-I have 60 years worth

  • Only one and under age 18, will be accepted per year

Candidate should demonstrate

  • Enthusiasm for outdoors and especially fishing

  • Ability to stick with an instruction program that will include at least 52 outings, equal to one per week but where some weeks will be no outings other weeks will be double or multiple outings to make up missed weeks

  • Four hours minimum, sunrise to sunset, or time spans between the two depending on season or other factors

  • Ability for long but not excessive, hiking through thick woods, up steep inclines, etc.

  • Ability to focus and pay attention

  • Have a cell phone for access to parents/guardian at any time

Professional level instruction

  • Trout, crappie, bluegill and red ear (These are species that repetitive catching is easily accomplished-a necessary accomplishment to keep a child interested)

“Next level” fishing has taught me more than “fish”, about the outdoors. Fishing taught me patience, focus, determination and how to succeed at anything difficult, as well as fishing being my best medicine through life’s typical health and personal events. Every child should learn how to catch fish-not just go fishing.