Fishing Together Is A Great Way To Spend The Day!

Do you want to introduce your children to fishing? Are you looking for a family-friendly vacation lodge with easy to access waters full of fiesty fish?

The obvious 'key' to growing a fisherman is fishing success. However, although Montana is well-known for its famous fishing waters, sometimes they're a hard place to introduce a beginning fisherman. We've got great fishing waters, but they're family friendly too!

As one writer put it, "the term has been so overused that most of us gag when we hear it. But there is no escaping the fact that 'quality time' is in perilously short supply." Of course we all know the 'villains' - television, school work, sports, electronic toys and gadgets, peers, our work, and other pressures of day to day life. So, what's a good anecdote? Fishing!

The best thing about fishing is it doesn't require little ones to sit still, to be quiet, or even to 'catch' anything. Most of the fun is found in just being together - and being near the water. So, how do you maximize on this 'quality time'?

• Goal Number One: Have Fun! As adults we tend to be too focused. If the fish aren't biting, skip rocks. If they are, don't worry about the size or even if you actually land one. Enjoy the experience. Take pictures. Talk. Laugh. Play simple "I spy" or other games. And, if your child manages to land their first (or twentieth) fish, make a big deal out of it. After all, you've got the makings of a built-in fishing buddy here!
• Goal Number Two: Safety. When choosing your fishing spot, the best place to catch fish may not be the best place to take your five-year-old. If you're fishing off a dock or out of a boat, be sure your child is fitted with an appropriate sized and properly fitting life jacket.
• Goal Number Three: Comfort. Although catching a fish may be the purpose, with little ones it really isn't the most important goal. In fact, it is a few down the list. You're building an experience here. The more pleasant the experience, the more likely you'll get an enthusiastic 'yes' next time you ask your young partner to go fishing. Snacks. Sunscreen. Water. Bug Repellent. Even something comfortable to sit on will add to the success of the day.
• Goal Number Four: Fish. Yes, this is a goal, albeit a lesser goal. With little ones, it just isn't as important. Granted, your five year old (or older) fishing buddy will definitely remember his (or her) first fish, but you'll never get to this point if they don't enjoy the overall experience. However, in trying to help them hook that first fish here are a few helpful tips:
  • Research what works best (a fly pole is probably not the place to start) at your chosen fishing spot. Live bait is sometimes easiest - and attracts a variety of fish species.
  • Research the best fishing spots. If you're not taking your fishing buddy to your favorite local fishing hangout, be sure to question the locals (or us) as to where your youngster is most likely to hook into a live one. Check out our fishing page for specifics on what to use, when to fish, and where to go.
  • Keep your expectations realistic. Five minutes may seem like five hours to your five year old. If your young partner is getting restless, try putting a bobber on their line and looking for bugs or skipping rocks or playing a game. The biggest catfish I ever caught as a child was caught while I walked up the hill to pet the neighboring horses. It certainly didn't diminish my pride in my catch!
  • Take an extra dose of patience before leaving your cabin. Remember, the first few (even few hundred) fishing trips with your young companion are going to require more detangling, unhooking, rebaiting, and entertaining than fishing. However, you're working at building quality time and a life-time relationship - and what can be more important than that?
• What to bring? Remember your fishing buddy is a little guy (or gal). Get them their own equipment (tackle box, fishing pole, net, and bait) and they'll feel big and important. Besides, one young man caught a very nice trout off with his Sponge Bob pole the summer of 2006. (By the way - his father caught nothing - at least on that excursion - on his fancier pole, even with his greater skills.)

Fishing websites directed toward the younger generation

• World's Best Fishing Tips for Kids: A kid-friendly site with lots of basic information specifically for young anglers.