People who grew up fishing with their family already know what a fun-filled outing a fishing trip can be. It promotes family togetherness, brings us closer to nature and provides a diversion from everyday life.
Fishing conjures up many different images in people’s minds; some see an overall-clad boy in a straw-hat leaning against a tree on a hot summer day. Others think of a fly fisherman standing waist-deep in a river, with a graceful arc of line streaming over his shoulder.
Whatever your image is, don’t be an onlooker. Put on an old pair of shoes, grab the kids and get ready for some local adventure. The great news is that if you can plan a picnic, you can plan a fishing trip. The only difference is what you do when you get there.
Before you go though, let us offer a quick word of caution.
Some people who have experience fishing with young children will tell you that kids, fishing line and hooks don’t mix. They are wrong. These three things mix very well — so well, in fact, that you will spend a great deal of time “unmixing” them!
Your kids will get the hang of it in a few years. Meanwhile, watch them carefully to prevent injury from sharp hooks. Unsnarling everything is mostly a lesson in patience, which we all could use more of. (Here’s a quick tip: It is often easier to cut the line and start over than it is to untangle a rat’s nest.)
Are you ready to get started? Here are the basics. You’ll need to:
Go fish!
— Jim Mhoon
