Take a Kid Fishing

Why is taking a kid fishing so transformative, and why should you do it?

I was a lucky kid, born in the upper Midwest, with grandparents who lived on a lake. Summer camp was self-led and involved fishing for eight-plus hours a day, only to take a break when Grandma Pat decided I needed to eat.

Most kids aren’t as lucky as I was.

A report from the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation shows that about 25% of young Americans got a chance to go fishing in 2023, which, honestly, is impressive. The statistic that concerns me is that 5.1 million kids wanted to go fishing, but weren’t able to.

So, we’ve got a gap. A big one, and I’d say it’s on us, as anglers, to fill that gap.

In my nine-to-five job, I find myself lucky again, managing the youth fly-fishing programs for Trout Unlimited. Day after day, I get to see how transformative getting young people on the water can be for both mentee and mentor. But why is taking a kid fishing so transformative, and why should you do it?

For starters, young people are in desperate need of outdoor activity. Anything that gets a kid off of the phone and WIFI is a step in the right direction. The brains of our youth are currently flooded with dopamine from all the wrong sources, and it’s time more kids felt the rush of a fish pulling on the end of their line.

Additionally, I’m a firm believer that more anglers equals more conservation advocates. Right now, we need all the advocates we can get. The voice of young people carries immense weight, and if we want angling to remain a viable activity, we need their support.

Beyond that, teaching someone how to fish is also good for you. As I’ve aged, the joy of fishing has changed. These days, getting on the water can feel like a chore, unless there’s something else to add to the experience. Taking a kid fishing brings back what made the sport special in the first place; you might find it does the same for you.

Finally, I’d say that all of us, as anglers, have a bit of debt to pay because someone also taught us to fish when we were young. You may have been a little tike with snot running down your face, or an early 40’s adult trying to kick start a new hobby, but either way, someone opened the door for you.

It could’ve been a close relative who took you every summer, or a fly shop employee who shared a few tips and tricks. Now, it’s our turn. With 5.1 million young people wanting to fish, but unable to, we have an opportunity, and duty, to return the favor and carry on the tradition of this great sport.

How To Take a Kid Fishing

This could be a book, but let’s keep it simple. I recommend two key principles when fishing with young people.

More mud-puddles: Having fun is the most important part. Everything else is secondary. Nothing matters if the kiddo didn’t enjoy their day on the water. You could take Susie Q to your favorite spot and catch thirty-five fish, but that doesn’t mean it’s better than being caught in a rainstorm and splashing through mud-puddles, before returning home wet and tired. Okay, maybe thirty-five fish is better, but you get the point. Leave the expectations on dry land, and go out with an open mind. Fishing is so much more than catching fish, especially with a kid.

Be prepared: In order to have fun (the main goal), you have to be ready. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, food, proper clothing, the right gear, etc. Know where you plan to fish and how you can set the kid up for success. Have a backup plan in case things don’t go as expected. Additionally, make sure you’re following all the rules and regulations. In most states, people under the age of sixteen do not need a fishing license, but it’s always a good idea to check. Most importantly, know where to get ice cream on the way home.

If you’re not familiar with working with children, it can be more difficult than you’d expect. Some of them can be pretty challenging, but that’s the fun in it. I’ll include some resources below, but really, the best way to figure it out is the same way you learned how to fish: go fishing, but this time, just bring a kid.

Teaching tips:

• From Orvis: How to Teach a Kid to Fish

• Family Fishing with California Department of Fish and Wildlife

• Eight Tips to Keep Kids Fishing Experiences Fun and Engaging from TakeMeFishing

Let’s make it happen, folks. The world needs it. The kids need it. And, I’m tempted to say that you might need it too.

Shoot me a line if you have any questions. I’m happy to help however I can.

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Cliff Watson manages the Youth Fly Fishing Programs for Trout Unlimited. He also is the author of the Kudos Substack, where he writes about “fishing, philosophy and the human experience.” He can be reached at clifford.watson@tu.org.