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May 2018 26 Fresh Water Boats For Sale
This fourth part of helping kids get into fishing deals
exclusively with the concept of TIME. This precious
commodity is a priceless item that once lost or wasted
can never be regained. That, despite the science fiction
portrayals to the contrary, is what makes us dream of
going back in time to get to redo past mistakes. Sorry, we
get just one shot to make it right,
such as engendering a love for
fishing in your child or grand
child. This article might just
aid in planning the right length
of trip for the certain age and
maturity level of each individual
youth in question.
Let’s start with the peanut
brigade that have barely learned
to turn the crank on a spin cast
reel and are still sometimes
in need of a diaper change,
especially if they get very excited
about catching their first fish! My son Pete was only two
when he reeled in his first fish while cradled on my lap.
We had rehearsed cranking his reel for weeks before
going to the lake so it was pure habit already even if he
could only scream “Fish! fish! I catch fish!”
Attention spans for toddlers and preschoolers are very
short and therefore immediate gratification should be
a primary goal of the host supervising adult. A suicide
sunny in fresh water or a super-stupid snapper bluefish
in a back saltwater bay is the perfect starter fish for the
little one to hook up with fast. Simple worm or squid leg
baits parallel the simplicity in that department.
Catching fish every couple of minutes or at least getting
bites with action is the ultimate goal. You’ll want to have
the tykes screaming squealing and laughing with joy at
what they will never forget! Photo and film backups for
the memory make it more indelible for the whole family
to cherish including those unfortunate enough not to be
G R A N D P A
CARL’S KIDS
COLUMN
by Carl Bruger
present at the time of the excitement. Judge
wisely how long this should last as well. A couple of hours
of fishing are plenty for little ones and there is nothing wrong
with a distraction or two that might also add to the joys of the
day. A mother duck and her ducklings might swim by and you
all toss them some of your hot dog roll bread. A shoreline
bullfrog makes so much noise that he ends up temporarily
in the net and being named Kermit. When all the kids tickle
his belly eventually he pees all over Grandpa and everyone
laughs like crazy for ten minutes! The raucous ride home is
a recount of the fish caught, the ducks having lunch and the
highlight of a frog urinating on Pops. “Let’s do it again!”The
kids cry out shrilly. It is music to my ears. And I’m the one with
the wet pants! If the age of
your youth anglers is a bit older, say elementary school,
consider adding on time to the trip duration. Maybe a lunch
break in between might be enjoyable. Hydration is vital for
busy and excited children who often do not give their physical
needs a thought when they are emotionally distracted by
jumping fish that they never before encountered.
Provide for catch and release if the children do not wish to eat
their catch. I treasure my daughter Lynne’s bluegill “captives”
that she penned in a granite rock cleft water hole while
we vacationed at a lake and then
released. Ned, Fred, Ted, Red and
Jed were very well stuffed with all
the worms they could eat the week
she had them as pets. Bass pro
Jimmy Houston had nothing on my
daughter for kissing fish goodbye!
Really advanced youngsters
who watch their catch cleaned or
eventually learn to do it themselves
like I did from my father, cherish the
shore lunch experience as much as
any part of the fishing experience.
Gathering firewood, setting up the
campfire and other outdoor skills all become cherished
memories and valued knowledge that your kids can pass
down to theirs.
Who can forget the taste of brook trout fried in bacon fat with
the sizzling bacon, onion laced home fries, and home-made
sour dough bread from my Aunt Pat. It was all washed down
with my first cups of strong coffee at age ten with my Dad
grinning like a Cheshire cat brimming with the pleasure he
was feeling. I recount this from over sixty years ago and like
yesterday in my mind. Do something like this for your son,
daughter, grandson, or granddaughter. 3 TIME
RULES:
1) Make time for taking your children or grandchildren
fishing. You will never regret this.
2) The time you make for the kids is to be purely focused
on them, not any of your activities.
3) The amount of time goes up based on the age, maturity
and attention span of the children involved. in the angling
experience.