I fully get the whole “Take a Kid Fishing Day or a “Kids Fishing Only Day” at a particular waterway. It’s great and it promotes getting the kids interested in the outdoors and doing something that is not digital. That’s what we are hoping for at least. I have had the pleasure, most of the time, to experience many of these “Kids” specific fishing events since I have two young boys myself. They love to go to these events and have normally caught a lot of fish and had a good time, but the trips they seem to get the most out of are the ones where we go out and explore for our own “Kids Only Fishing Day”. With a little effort and some knowledge of the internet, any newbie fisherman fathers can go online and figure out how to fish your local waters any day of the year!
Lots of times just getting out on the water for ourselves is hard enough so when you turn that fishing trip into a family excursion things get complicated pretty quickly. When taking the family fishing or doing any other outdoor endeavor for that matter always go with “The Flow” so to speak. One thing most kids do not have is a long attention span so don’t set yourself up for failure right out of the gate. Go fishing for something on the easy side to start with, for most of us that are going to be species like Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, and Trout. Be prepared with the gear you need and don’t be trying to buy it on the way to where you are fishing. Get all that worked out ahead of time so the trip to go fishing can be chill and positive.
Bring lots of good food and think about the ease of eating while you are out on the water. Snacks are good, pre-made sandwiches, something sweet for a treat now and then is always appreciated by the kids as well. Don’t forget the liquids, you forget the water, you might as well go home! And if you don’t have the full-blown First Aid Kit then at the least you better have a selection of bandages. Kids always find new and innovative ways to hurt themselves on these types of trips.
You should also be prepared to not fish at all! Rivers, lakes, and oceans are not just great places for fishing, they can be full of other great things to experience. I’m not sure I’ve ever been fishing with my kids where we did not spend at least some time just goofing around. In the end, exploring while fishing and being open to “The Flow” of things will equate to the kids having a better all-around experience and the attitude for future trips more positive. Plus, a couple of the best fishing moments I’ve ever had came after we gave up fishing for the day and started exploring! Whatever kind of “Take a Kid Fishing Day” you have to remember to have fun and be open to whatever the day or your kids throws at you! And Good Luck.
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