For many families in Michigan, fishing is perhaps considered one of their most favorite outdoor activities. With great fishing locations and perfect weather, it is little surprise thousands of families make it a point that they have scheduled fishing trips each year.
Teaching your child how to fish, however, is another story altogether. It’s quite tricky to pass on the love of fishing and the outdoors to another generation. It’s all about having a fun experience on their first few tries and making good memories that make them really love fishing.
If you are looking to introduce fishing to your kids, here are some ideas that will help:
Think about the fish
Nothing beats the rush of reeling in your first catch. Sometimes, that is all it takes to get your children hooked into fishing. You don’t even have to take them to the most scenic fishing spots on their first try; you can always go there when your kids have gained more experience.
What’s important at the beginning is to let your kids experience what it is like to get a fish on the line. Besides, there are lots of family-friendly fishing posts all around in Michigan and nearby states. There will be no dearth of choices when it comes to choosing one that is not only best for beginners but also great for scenic fishing.
Invest in long-lasting gear
A good quality fishing gear can make the difference in making your child’s first fishing experience great. When you have good equipment, you can better train them on the basic techniques and not worry whether the rod can last a few more fishing trips.
Fortunately, there are great gear stores in popular fishing spots in Michigan. You can even give them as gifts for their birthday or during holidays, which can help look forward to your family fishing trips even more.
Make fishing techniques as light and fun
Fishing also depends on the techniques and excellent grasp of the basics. But teaching them doesn’t have to be boring or technical. It should be fun and natural as well as feel more like a play. Experts suggest teaching the kids the basic then letting them try the techniques on their own as often as possible.
You can also let them try using simple fishing equipment at first then move on to more sophisticated gear once they’ve learned the ropes. It also works to target fishes that are easier to catch, like bluegill and catfish for more fun.
Through repetition and experience, they can better learn how to tie a hook, check the tether and casting the bait.
Take lots of photos
Finally, be sure to document the first fishing experience of your kids. Take lots of pictures and videos as much as you can. It does not matter whether they were able to get a fish immediately or not. The important thing is that they are having fun, just how fishing should be.
This will make them cherish the experience even more and will have keepsakes as they grow up.
Fishing is a great way of introducing to the younger generation the wonders of the outdoors. It does not have to be difficult or scary; by making it fun and memorable on their first few tries, your kids will soon ask you for more fishing trips in the future.