Instant Gratification - YOU HAVE TO CATCH SOME FISH ! - Little Mary and Johnny will gain an appreciation of nature as time goes by, and they may learn to love some of the intricacies of the sport like tying a good knot and matching the bait, after awhile, but in the beginning they're going to want to catch fish. At the outset they may not even want to bait the hook or unhook the catch, but they do want to hook one. So with that in mind, put your vast fishing knowledge to work and take them where they can experience some early success. You know all about structure and water temperature and baitfish. Go where and when the percentages are in your favor. Yes, I know you can catch trophy size speckled trout while wading the cold Gulf Coast bays in February. However, your eight year old probably won't get the same enjoyment spending six hours seeking one big fish. Why not hit the white bass spawning run upriver? Or go wet your line where the panfish are thick as fleas and hungry as horses? While your doing it you can explain why the fish are where they are, why that particular lure is working today, and that in a few months they won't be in this spot. They'll learn. And if they have success in the beginning don't worry about them becoming spoiled by it. Think about it this way - once they experience the thrill of it all, they may be willing to spend more time pursuing their prey in the future. Why do we grown-ups spend so much time making that "one more cast" after hours of getting shut out? We want that jolt we get when our underwater adversary strikes.

It's the Kid's Time, Stupid - On the water, with fish biting all around you, it might be tough to forego concentrating on catching your own limit. Remember, at least for awhile, your role is that of teacher and your concentration should be on helping your young apprentice. Don't wander off toward that deep pool today, stay in the shallows with your shorter partner. It might be frustrating not to be catching many fish yourself, but the sooner you raise your student to an acceptable level of competence the sooner you'll both be able to optimize your fishing time together.

Know the Child's Limits- Except for the comatose state attained during the viewing of his or her favorite Disney video or Saturday morning cartoon, how long can something hold your child's attention? If your would be angler is very young we might be talking about 15 minutes, tops. Fishing isn't going to be very different. It's not likely that little Lefty is going to be able to stay on the water from sun up to sundown like you do. As the child's parent you hopefully have some insight into the amount of time your offspring will enjoy themselves on a fishing outing. Don't push your luck. I doubt seriously if you're going to encourage an interest that will endure if you force the youngster to persist beyond his or her level of comfort. Don't make yourself miserable. If your eight year old is miserable, you'll soon be miserable, too. There are other things to enjoy on an outing that will add to the experience. Look for bugs. Take the time to explain how important an understanding of the other parts of the environment is to fishing. Bring a picnic lunch. Walk through the woods or go beachcombing.

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Comfort and Safety- Safety is primary. Safety and comfort can and should coexist. Don't ruin your child's chances of becoming a lifetime angler by allowing bad experiences to taint the youngster's outlook.

Remember that while the water draws us to it with opportunities for enjoyment, it can be dangerous. I don't need to scare you with statistics. You know. In an activity that involves boating, wading, and even standing by the water's edge, the ablility to swim should be a prerequisite. If your child doesn't yet know how to swim, this is a good reason for him or her to learn. Even if your son or daughter already knows how to swim, a life jacket should still be worn while wading, and it is mandatory while on a boat. Furthermore, a child who can swim and is wearing the appropriate flotation devices should still not be left unsupervised while wading or boating.

Another concern for young waders is the actual wading garments themselves. When you can, wade wet. If waders are called for it's important they fit properly and a tight wading belt be worn to prevent the waders from filling with water in the event of a fall.

You probably wear a hat and sunglasses and even sunscreen while fishing under the sun. The reasons you wear those items apply to fledgling fishermen as well. Don't start bad habits. It won't hurt to explain the reasons for all these items either. Another item that is likely to be appropriate more often than not is long pants. The sting of a jellyfish or the bite of a tick is a sure fire way to turn off a young angler.

Next to the potential dangers inherent in the water itself is the danger of the hook. Many of you have probably at least been pricked with the business end of the hook. The chances of a novice getting good and stuck are certainly higher. Flattening the barbs on your child's hooks will alleviate this problem and make it easier for him or her to release their catch to boot.

Buy Them Their Own Stuff - A sense of ownership can go a long way toward getting your young charge hooked on the pastime you love so much. If the child's interest doesn't become permanent, having some fishing tackle around the house that goes underutilized is no worse than some of the other things you've bought for them that gather dust. Is every gift Santa ever put under the Christmas tree worn out from overuse? I wouldn't recommend going overboard, however.

Good quality, uncomplicated equipment can be found. A lightweight rod and reel combo is required. One thing you may want to consider though is a rod that's a little longer than you've probably thought of. Ultralight materials will still make a long rod accessible to a child and the long rod will make the possibility of your little angler hooking him or herself a little less likely. The rod and reel will determine the types of line and tackle your wee caster will require.

All you fly fishermen out there don't need to shy away from introducing your children to that avocation. If it's what you enjoy why not share its pleasures? We've already discussed the longer rod idea. And children learn things quickly. They're wired that way. If you're really interested in fly fishing with your kids check out "Fly Fishing with Children" , by Philip Brunquell, published by Countryman Press.

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A Fishing Life - Not all the satisfaction of a fishing life comes on the water. Most of us enjoy the preparation, the study, and the practicing of our sport. These can be valuable enterprises for youngsters. Casting a practice plug in the backyard, the schoolyard, or a vacant lot can be both practical and fun. An accuracy competition can liven things up.

Preparing for tomorrow's outing, together with your son or daughter or even the whole family, can be fun. Fly tying is not beyond the grasp of children of a certain age. The same goes for putting together their own lures. Imagine the proud, beaming smile when your apprentice plucks his finny foe from the water hooked by a fly or lure of his own creation. Sharing your old magazines or purchasing them their own subscription may be appropriate. Joining a fishing club or organization (see The FisherNet Club and Organization Directory) is another way to assimilate them into the fishing culture.

Let's not forget that this publication is an internet publication and there are opportunities for fun and learning within its web. (World Wide, that is.) The fact that your reading this means you're web savvy and hopefully your children are as savvy if not more so. You can fish the net as well as surf it.