March 3, 2025 By: Heather Harkavy
Abridged from “MidCurrent”
I have been fly fishing with my dad since I was a little rug rat. When I reflect on my childhood, fishing was everything. My wonderful childhood on the water was cut off—temporarily, thankfully—when I became a teenager. I faded away from the sport a bit. Why? One simple reason: None of my friends were doing it, and I wanted to hangout with my friends. Thank goodness I grew out of that.
Here are 5 fun tips for getting kids into fishing!
1. Turn Casting Practice into a Game
Casting can be tricky, but the idea is to develop the muscle memory of a wee one. So make a game out of it. For example set a target and give each angler three shots. The closest one wins.Pro tip: Use a yarn, not a fly with a hook, to avoid accidental piercings.
2. Use Kid-Friendly Gear
That fancy nine foot rod you love? Don’t hand that to a 7-year-old unless you want a mess and some frustration. A smaller rod, something in the 71/2-foot to 81/2-foot range, with a lightweight 3- or 4-weight line, is way easier for little hands to manage. Also, keep the rig simple. One fly: Minimal tangles, maximum chance of success.
3. Fishing is About the Journey
If the goal is just to catch fish, you’re setting yourself up for failure. Instead, make it about the whole experience. Flip rocks and hunt for bugs. Pack a ridiculous amount of snacks. (Seriously, snacks are critical.) Let the youngster go for a swim, skip rocks, or name the fish they haven’t caught yet. A riverside picnic can sometimes be the highlight of the day. And if they actually catch a fish? That’s just the cherry on top.
4. Set Long-Term Goals
Having goals to strive for is a fun way to get kids to interact more and initiate the next fishing trip. As skills build, the kids will continue to strive and grow. Here are a few ideas that vary, depending on location:
- Learn 5 knots by the end of summer
- Pick up a bag of trash each day you’re on the river
- Fish three new places over spring break
5. The Kid’s the Guide
Where should we fish? Which fly should we use? Where do you think the fish are hiding? Let the child take the reins, even if their choices seem questionable. Giving them ownership builds confidence and makes the experience more fun. Hand them the fly box and let them pick, and no second-guessing. Then, talk through their reasoning and encourage their curiosity.
Heather Harkavy is founder and executive director of Fish for Change. A South Florida native, she now lives in the Roaring Fork Valley of Colorado.
Footnote: Tune in on your computer to Midcurrent.
The outdoors is the best classroom for kids. Get them away from mobile phones, internet, tv etc., They learn positive values in outdoors and it builds self esteem, vital for teenagers seeking self esteem and confidence.
All good advice, kids have. Short attention span in my experience as an instructor, so when you see them losing interest, stop your session, a distraction sometimes helps, snacks or lunch, showing them flies, show them photos of pics of themselves that you’ve taken, many tricks to keep them coming back, keep them motivated, always congratulate and encourage them, they’re our future.
Trout Junkie
Turangi