Goodness, let me count the reasons!
People Only Save What They Value
If we don’t teach our children to care about nature, they won’t protect it! There’s a lot of truth to the song,
“Don’t it always seem to go
That you don’t know what you got ’til it’s gone
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.” *
Get a Future Fishing Partner
Folks who take the time to train kids to enjoy the pleasures of fishing earn life-long fishing companions. This isn’t a very shabby outcome, believe me!
My father had the right intentions, but he used lousy techniques. He killed the joy of fishing by lining us up on a pier and droning on for more than an hour about the dangers of fishing.
When we made a mistake, we weren’t allowed to forget it. My father never could understand why we were unwilling fishing partners!
It’s an Opportunity to Relate Differently
While out fishing, you may learn new things about your kids — the way they look at things, what worries them, etc.
When we took our kids fishing, they surprised us by talking about their lives away from us (school), their likes and dislikes … and a thousand other things.
There’s something about being in a natural environment that brings out soulful discussions.
Keep the Preaching to a Minimum
There is something very satisfying about seeing a child’s face light up when they catch their first fish — even if it is a tiny perch!
A successful fishing trip is actually a juggling act! The trick is to teach youngsters the safety they need to know while engaging them in the fun of fishing.
This isn’t nearly as easy as it sounds! Most of us are so used to talking to our kids as … well, kids … that we forget that they will eventually be adults. This is a great time to practice talking to them as adults. Kids hear the difference and appreciate the change!
Getting Started
After teaching kids how to bait their hook and cast, talk about the effects of weather and winds on fishing. Show what you know … your kids can learn a few things about you, too!
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* From the song, Big Yellow Taxi, by Joni Mitchell
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This blog is a companion to my website: GreatGhilliesAndGraphics.com
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