Passing Your Fishing Knowledge To The Next Generation

There is an old saying that if you give a man a fish he can eat for a day, but if you teach him to fish he can eat for a lifetime. The same also holds true that if you take a child fishing he could enjoy it for a day, but if you teach a child to fish he can enjoy it for a lifetime. When was the last time you took your son or daughter fishing and really took the time to teach them the right way to fish? Have you ever taken your kids friends on a fishing trip and taught them how to fish?


These days it’s all about self gratification and immediate reward, and we often neglect to share with our younger generation the heritage of hunting and fishing for food that our ancestors used to do out of necessity. Maybe it’s much easier to get a fish from the local shops, but the fun and recreation of landing a big fish still excite most outdoorsmen and pump adrenaline through the body.

Prepare Them For A Sustainable Future In Fishing

Teaching the skills of fishing also instils in our younger generation the need to protect and preserve the heritage as well as the natural resources that allow these recreational pursuits. Many of our younger generation are being taught to preserve the land for its beauty and natural resources but not how to interact with nature without damaging that beauty and natural resource. Share with them the wonders of the outdoors so they can see it for themselves, instead of through a little screen.

With summer having finally arrived many fishing enthusiasts are already planning that trout fishing, bass fishing or surf fishing trip. Take a trip with your kids and their friends and spend the time to truly teach them how to fish. Let them experience the thrill of that native trout jumping from the stream, while fighting them on a light tackle fly rod. Take the time to teach them how to land a fly in a teacup at ten paces, even if you can’t.

If you are a bass fishing enthusiast, take your kids bass fishing and teach them not only how to fish, but boating safety and common courtesy on the water. Teach them how to pick the right fishing lure or bait for the conditions you are fishing in. Teach them the value of catch and release.

If you are a surf fishing fanatic, take them to the beach and put a rod in their hands. Let them feel the tug of a blue fish or puppy drum on the rod. Teach them how to cast a surf rod and to tie the knots for rigging lines. Show them how to care for the equipment.

Get your kids away from the video games and television and let them get involved in some outdoor activities instead. Take a kid fishing and you will possibly find that you enjoy teaching them as much as you enjoy fishing yourself.