Guidelines: Take The Kids Fishing & Make Sure They Help Out
August 30, 2017
I’ve been guiding for 22 years now—full time. Along the way, I got married and about 11 years ago, my wife and I started having kids. Needless to say, my oldest is 11 now and my 2nd oldest is 9. While all 4 of my kids love to fish and be on the boat, my 4 and 6 year olds are a bit too young to spend lots of hours with me guiding.
I’m fortunate to have a good business, which means I’m busy on the lakes every day from mid May until late October every season. The only trouble is that I don’t get to see my kids very much in the summer. I wanted to be with my kids more so I decided to try something new…
Three years ago I started taking my son, Jonas, along on guided trips. I wanted to be with him and I figured it was the best way! Admittedly, the first couple of seasons he was quite young and it took more effort to have him on board—but it was worth it, and I thought it was great. I’d have him sit by me and pick out bait from the bait box or hand me the landing net when I needed it. They were small jobs that he really enjoyed. As time went on and the more he came with, I began teaching him how to help on board.
By the end of the 2016 season, I truly had a first-rate first mate. Enter the 2017 season Jonas is 11 years old and he’s been a rock star on board! He is the net-boy, dock boy, bait kid, tangle fixer, leader builder, de-weeder and fish handler! I’m not just pleased because he’s my boy and he loves to hang out with me, but he is genuinely a great worker! It’s been magical, really. He’s developed a sense for details and understands the importance of efficiency and problem solving. He nets every fish that comes aboard my boat! It’s a very important position to have—we certainly can’t afford to mis-net a customer’s trophy walleye, northern, crappie or huge lake sturgeon.
Why would I let him have big responsibilities like tying lines, baiting hooks (yes, there are absolutely correct ways to bait hooks) and netting someone’s trophy fish? He loves the challenge, and he loves being on the water. He’s developed great self-confidence. Yes, he loves fishing, but believe it or not, he doesn’t get to fish very often because he’s busy the entire time that we’re out, but he loves being a part of the system and the game and the team.
The Point To This Story: Get Your Kids Involved On The Lake!
When you put your boat in the lake at the dock, let your kid hold the boat so it doesn’t float away. Put your kid in charge of the bait and the snacks. And, for sure, let them net your fish. If they miss or do it “wrong,” they just need more practice and encouragement. Kids, especially your own kids, love tasking with you! Especially when it comes to cool things like fishing, hunting, and fixing the lawnmower or truck—you know what I mean.
When kids get to be a part of the fishing process and you make them feel like they are a part of the fishing mechanism, it becomes more than a sport for them. It becomes a rewarding event and they feel accomplished.
When Jonas and I get off the water, we clean the catch for our guests, and yes he cleans the fish too. Give your kid a medium sharp knife and show them how to clean fish. I like mid-sharp knives so that they don’t cut right through the fish and into a finger or hand. (Don’t get your youngster a brand new knife—they are too sharp.) When kids get to be a part of the fish cleaning process they are very proud and pleased. It’s a big deal, besides, some day when they fish alone or with friends they’ll know how to clean fish.
Help your kid be a working part of your fishing. It really doesn’t matter if they knock a fish off your line, tie a bad knot, or dice up a fish when they try these things for the first time. Remember to be patient with your kids and don’t expect them to do it right the first time. Eventually, things will come together and then you and your youngster will be even better fishing partners and better friends—just like Jonas and I!
