Fishing with your Little Ones

For those of you who love fishing, have you ever considered introducing your children to this fantastic hobby? Not only will it allow you to spend quality time together, but it will also allow the little ones in your life to spend time outside in nature, where they can learn about the natural world.

From the moment that your child enters this life, as a passionate angler, you’ll likely look forward to creating a special bond together through fishing. Where we run into trouble as angling parents, is when we overestimate our children’s interest at a young age and underestimate their ability to absorb information and learn. If they get bored of waiting for a fish to take the bait and decide they want to throw stones instead, teach them how to skim stones for a while. This is a great learning experience! For children to grow a love for fishing, it is good to let them follow their interests – never force it upon them. By keeping the experience positive and fun, your children will hopefully catch the fishing bug in no time. They might even become the next Ernest Hemingway!

The most important thing for a parent - is to realise that a child’s first love of fishing is built through the time they spend with you. It probably has nothing to do with fishing; but instead, they cherish your undivided attention and the experience of fishing with you.

Once a child is old enough to understand the basics of fishing and the fun that they can have, then you know your days out have been a success.

With an ultralight fishing rod or lightweight pole with a mealworm or sweetcorn attached to the end, your children could catch quite a few small fish. Each successful catch will build their self-esteem and teach them that patience and hard work pays off.

Enjoy every fishing day with your child. Teach them new skills, support them when needed and celebrate their successes. There are few moments in life that can compare to a day’s fishing with your child.

Written by Chris