  I once said to a friend that the best thing you could do for a child was to put the fear of God in his heart and a fishing pole in his hand. I still believe that. My grandfather took my father fishing; and my father took me; and my son and I enjoy fishing together. I don't know if it is the fishing so much as it is the fact that we do it together. Most of our best memories and quality time have been around fishing. It seems that some of our most meaningful discussions about life and God are had during a fishing or hunting trip.
One of the best tips I can offer when it comes to introducing kids to fishing is 'keep it simple.' Find a place that has lots of fish. Carp, rock bass, blue gills, pumpkin seeds, or perch are always a good bet and usually fairly easy to catch. Perhaps you are not too fussy about catching carp but kids are absolutely thrilled to catch anything. My son often recalls the time when we caught a running shoe while fishing near Peterborough.
You don't have to spend a fortune on equipment for kids but get somehing that will work. While guiding in Kenora I had a young boy about 11years old who hooked what was probably a good sized pike judging by the way it fought. We never did see it because his reel did not work properly and the line eventually broke . That could have been the biggest fish of his 11 years.
Using live bait to begin with is usually easier and more productive than lures or artificial baits. Once a youngster becomes more profiecient in handling his fishing equipment then let him advance to lures.
When you take a young person fishing make sure you are going for their sake. Don't get so distracted with the fishing that you ignore them or show frustration at having to untangle their line or bait their hook. One of the things that kids like to do is reel in. So what? Let them have fun. Encourage them and let them know that you enjoy having them along. Someday when you are old they will not forsake you and you will not be begging for someone to take you fishing.
Good luck and keep the tip up!!
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Dave Tigani
