My love affair and passion with the local waterways and fishing started as a young child. I grew up in the Ozark Mountains of northern Arkansas and was no stranger to the Spring River and other local tributaries. I started accompanying my grandfather fishing on the Spring River, at such a young age that he would tote me on his hip and load me in his boat. I developed a deep appreciation for
fishing and am thankful that I had a grandfather who was willing to take the time to share his knowledge and love of angling with me. The Spring River was his refuge and the place he spent most of his retirement years. Though the rainbow trout was probably his favorite fish to catch, Grandpa was not fussy as long as the fish were biting. We would sit for hours in his flatbottom boat with a bucket of worms and catch one fish right after another. A day on the river with my grandfather was one of my favorite pastimes and is now one of my favorite memories. As a child, fishing was fun and as an adult, it’s now my passion.
I have spent countless hours on the banks of the Spring River and one of my greatest pleasures is standing waist-deep in the cool water in search of a beautiful rainbow trout, large-eyed walleye, or smallmouth bass with my spinning reel in my hand. However, like my grandfather, I really don’t care what I’m catching. The adventure and experience itself is more than just catching fish. It’s enjoying the outdoors and spending time with family and friends.
I spend nearly every weekend camping and fishing with my family on the banks of the Spring River during the summer months. More often than not, I will wade out into the river’s swift current with my favorite spinning reel to enjoy the magic and mystery of the river. With th
e water swirling around my legs, I’ll cast to where the river’s current is slowed by the rocks and wait patiently for a fish to bite. Close beside me will be my 8-year-old daughter, Sara Kate and my 14-year-old son, Casey, both also with spinning reels in hand. Nearby will be my husband, Tommy, and youngest son, Elijah age four. It’s a family adventure and quality time spent enjoying the outdoors and each other.
Our children were each introduced to fishing at an early age. Elijah caught his first fish with little assistance at the age of eighteen months. Tucked neatly in his little tackle box was his sippy cup and favorite toy Elmo. Sara Kate, at the age of four, caught a rainbow trout so large that it nearly pulled her into the water and she had to be held on the bank by a bystander while her daddy helped her to land the big fish. Casey also was introduced to fishing as a tyke and has grown into quite an impressive angler. At the age of fourteen, he can out-fish most adults and is as knowledgeable about his gear, the proper bait to use, and the fish that he catches as most veteran anglers.
Casey had very little patience for fishing when he was really young. If the fish weren’t biting, he just wasn’t going to fish and that was simply okay. We’d catch crawdads or skip rocks across the water instead. Over the years though, Casey has grown to love the sport and eagerly fishes every chance he gets. Little Sara Kate, on the other hand, would stand for hours in the water or on the dock fishing, regardless of whether or not the fish were biting and with persistence would cast her spinning reel over and over again and rejoice at the slightest nibble.
Fellow angler and friend, Tom Lester once said, “Give a child a fish to catch and you feed his character for a day. Teach a kid to fish and you will feed his character for a lifetime.”
Like me, most adult anglers first experienced the thrill of fishing as a child under the watchful eye and guidance of a grown-up. If you are an experienced angler, you should consider sharing your expertise and the fishing skills you’ve learned over your lifetime with your child or grandchild. Introducing young children to fishing can be a most rewarding experience. To make sure the experience is a positive one, here are a few simple tips to remember:
1. Make sure you have fun! So what if he casts his lure into the tree or gets a little wet or muddy?
2. Take the child to a safe and comfortable area to fish. Fish from the bank or a dock.
3. Live bait (worms and minnows) make the experience more interesting for the children,
and in addition will almost guarantee you some bites.
4. Do not expect your child to be able to fling a spinning reel or baitcaster on his first fishing trip. Buy him a child’s fishing pole.
5. Praise your child for even the smallest fish he catches. Do not expect your child to
catch a trophy-sized fish. Even the smallest perch will be a trophy to your youngster.
6. Do not forget the snacks and drinks. Every fishing trip should also be a picnic.
7. Insect repellent, first-aid kits, sunscreen, and Wet-Wipes may come in handy.
8. Be patient! Your youngster may get bored quickly and especially if the fish are not
biting. Catch some crawdads, count worms, search for tadpoles, or show him/her how
to skip rocks.
9. Be a good role model. Do not leave trash on the banks or toss it in the river. And for
goodness sake, follow the fishing regulations laid out by the Game and Fish Commission.
10. Most importantly, leave your pole at home. Make this your child’s special day. Who
knows? You may end up with a fishing buddy for life.