Last year I taught Sparky (then 8), Spanky (above, 5) and Spike (4) how to fish. I will never forget that day, especially when Spike started EATING THE BAIT!! (it's ok, it was baloney; that's all we had). Now, every time they visit their Poppy, they want to fish. And I don't even care about fishing. I go because we can do...it...together.
This assumes you're not a pro. And it assumes you know at least a little about fishing (like, that you usually need a license). Here're my rules I've followed:
1. Don't plan on fishing yourself! If I've only got one kid with me, maybe I can, but as soon as my line hits the water and I get just a bit interested, it's guaranteed my little future Bass Pro will have a crisis and I'll start getting frustrated. No frustration allowed!
2. Be positive, no matter what! Before they catch any fish, they are going to catch whatever attitude I have. Fishing with a kid has the potential to make you crazy (even without a kid--see video below); if you go crazy you will not have fun and the kids will never want to fish again. (I have to remember, I want them to want to fish, right?)
3. Don't go when it's burning-up hot. Again, the crazy thing.
4. If you don't have poles, go shopping together and make it an adventure. We got cheap, simple push-button spincast rods for $5-15 at Wal-Mart. Don't forget hooks and bobbers and maybe the little lead sinkers.
5. Take an artificial bait (fake fish with hooks in 'em) for when the kids get bored watching the bobber; they can cast and reel, and cast and reel, forever.
6. Make the trip to the water an adventure. Remember, you're not fishing! so I get myself excited for them and the fun we're gonna have, and I show it.
7. The first time, I bait the hook and show how to hold the rod. I put my hands over theirs, and show how to swing the rod. I say, "it's like throwing a ball--let go of the button when it's time to throw it."
8. I do the first cast with them to teach them; from then on they do it. No matter how lousy their first few tries are, I'm excited--Wow! Great job! I help cast only when they absolutely need it. They learned very quickly--quicker than I would've thought (like 5-minutes). I had to be careful I wasn't giving them help they didn't need. The satisfaction they got from doing it themselves was addictive.
9. Help them learn patience. I'd crouch down with them and whisper about what's going on under the water as we watched the bobber. "You never know where the fish are--maybe one's swimming near your worm right now..." The first few times we'd watch the bobber for 1-2 minutes, then gradually increase the time between casts.
10. When they get bored, we quit fishing. If they want to throw rocks and explore, we don't force it. Some of my favorite times are when the boys stop fishing and we sit on the bank making up conversations the ducks are having. Any fun they have they will associate with me and "going fishing." One day, we may actually be fishing together.
And, if I do it right, maybe they won't grow up to be like this guy...
