MOM Series: Introducing kids to fly fishing
There’s something magical about watching a child’s eyes light up when they know they are going fishing or their awe at the colourful, glittery flies, and not to mention witnessing their spark of connection that can only come from being around water.
I believe that fly fishing isn’t just a sport, it’s a skill to be passed on. It teaches patience, respect for nature, fieldcraft and the joy of slowing down in a fast-paced world. And there is no feeling quite like catching your first fish.
While I am an amateur and discovered fly fishing later in life, I am lucky that three out of four of Monty’s godparents are experts, including his Godmother Marina Gibson. I was very keen for Monty to have fly fishing ingrained into him from an early age and, the moment I saw his interest piqued, I took him out with me in his little carry case on my back. I did my usual assessment to improvise, adapt and overcome to find the best way to expose Monty to fly fishing in a safe and fun way but also one that allowed me some enjoyment too. So, I adapted my fishing approach to help accommodate a little one: fly rod in one hand, Monty in the other (well… strapped in snuggly where I could hear his snoring when he inevitably fell asleep) and laden with snacks and drinks.
Just to be clear, adapting doesn’t mean giving it up. It means finding new ways to do what you love, with the little ones who matter most right there with you. I approached my fishing in the same way I approached my adventures and shooting, but now with a mini fishing buddy along for the ride. I realised Monty loved spotting fish, he wanted his own rod and, after watching him become enthralled in the flies Uncle Stephan had shown him, I had the brainwave of making Monty his own child friendly set. All of the above meant that Monty was equally as excited as I was to learn and improve.
I absolutely love fly fishing, didn’t want to stop while Monty was young, and I recognised I actually need as much time on the water as possible if I want to get better, so here are my top tips to enjoy fishing with your little ones:
Think and plan ahead - Look at the weather, think about how tired or what activities your little ones have done in the lead up to fishing and pick the optimum time for the first visit. Stocked lakes are ideal for your first outings and I’ve recently been to one with Marina and Stephan which has a mini kids lake and everything available to hire. Once at a lake, you need to think about where you choose to cast from as you have precious cargo on your back. Stating the obvious, but look for flat banks and sturdy ground to lower the risk of slipping and wear appropriate footwear. It’s also important to remember not to expose your little one(s) to strong winds or stand in the beaming sun otherwise your time on the water will be over before you know it.
Clothing appropriate to conditions: check ahead for the weather and bring extra clothing. It’s worth remembering that if you are carrying your youngsters, they will not be moving as much as you so warmer clothing will be needed. I’d also recommend light, UV protective layers in nicer weather as this may also add a level of protection from any stray flies.
Ski goggles: Go with me on this one… Monty had a habit of taking his sunglasses off whenever we went out for a walk as he knew he was out of sight and reach on my back in his carry case. So, I boxed clever and bought him a pair of ski goggles from Decathlon. Not only are they comfy and designed to be on for large chunks of time, but he couldn’t pull them off - and if he tried he would wriggle so much I would notice and know to stop casting. As a helpful extra, when placed with balaclavas in the colder weather, this combination kept Monty’s face warm and out of the wind chill. He has since learnt that, like at a clay ground, ‘hats and eyes’ must stay on at all times or no fishing.
Get their own kit - I made Monty some horrendous looking flies out of pipe cleaners so he could have his own box. I made them big enough so he could tie them to his own line (a giant ribbon) and I wouldn’t have to worry about hooks. This got him more invested as he could ‘do’ everything himself. I also bought him the Orvis practicaster for Christmas so he could have his own rod (I cut the line to something more manageable but the rod itself was a perfect size for him). I thought I was onto a winner as I often found him in the garden trying to cast, until one day I found him crouched round the back of my Discovery Sport examining the exhaust pipe at close quarters. Thats when I realised he’d rammed the whole thing up there, with just a glimpse of line and grip visible hanging out of the end of the pipe, and so it was that the practicaster was no more.
Adapt your casting - The experts will have no qualms about how they cast but for any other amateurs/ professional tree and weed catchers, I would recommend adapting how you cast. When Monty was on my back I’d cast low and to the side. There will be no awards for technique but it does help keep your little one away from any wind-blown stray flies.
Keep your snacks, drinks, toys to hand - You want your fly in the water as much as possible not messing around with malt loaf and juice every five minutes so make life easy for yourself with enough of it around within easy reach.
Keep the fun - show that knotted lines are not the end of the world, let your little ones spot fish, make them The Chief Net Carrier and embrace the chaos that comes with little ones. You also need to accept that they will not sit quietly or whisper. When we were out one afternoon recently with my brother Jack, Monty bellowed across the lake “mummy have you caught one yet?!” Jack was in hysterics and everyone else out fishing that day had a smile when we walked back to the car.
Know when to stop - it can be tempting to just do one last cast but once you can sense your kids are fed up it is important to call it a day. One of Monty’s first outings saw him start to throw his little Lightning McQueen toy car over my head repeatedly into the water. By recognising I was on borrowed time I could leave before his (and my) frustration kicked in. I’d had a couple of hours and that was better than nothing.
Consult an expert - Whenever there is some fishing on the horizon with Little Man, I always consult Marina for any tips or advice she may have. She advises to “let him lead with curiosity; celebrate the tangles, splashes, and every little ‘almost.’ Keep it fun and end on a high note, before he gets tired or cold, so he’ll want to come back for more.”
Introducing the next generation to these waters means keeping the tradition alive and raising kids who value the outdoors as much as we do. So, here’s to lost fish, tangled lines, and unforgettable memories!
By
Claire Sads