# 23 Teaching Kids to Fly Fish

How to teach kids to Fly Fish, ?

As some of you are learning how to cast a fly rod for the first time, or a beginner fly-fisherman, many of you may be saying to yourself, “how do I teach my kid to fly fish”? You want to be able to take the kids with you outdoors and share this experience as a family and build memories that will last a lifetime.

Let me tell you a story before we get into the heart of the question. Years ago, when I was guideing I used to do trips where the fathers would bring their 8- or 13-year-old child, usually because the wife said “if you are going fishing you need to bring Jr. with you” so along comes Jr. on the trip, not a problem I love seeing kids’ fish. I was fortunate enough to witness a phenomenon when it came to kids fishing. It would seem there are two camps when it comes to kids and fishing.

There are the kids who are really just not that into it, and after 15 or 20 minutes they are done, whether you are catching fish or not. They are bored, maybe missing home, who knows. Then there are the kids who are pre-programed or hardwired through their DNA, that will not, no, cannot put down the rod, no matter what. You can tell them; you can yell at them even threats will not get the rod out of their hands.

My 6-year-old son was one of the first group, he could cast a fly-rod like a master at age of 6, catch 2- and 3-pound trout, and then 20 minutes later, the rod was in the dirt, and he was looking for snakes or chucking rocks. It broke my heart that he was just not that into fishing like I was. No matter how hard I tried he was just not that into it. We have those lifelong memories of the trips we took as father and son and those can never be lost.

How young is too young?

I get this question frequently, and the answer is; if they can hold a rod in their hands, they can cast a fly-rod. Usually if I’m teaching a kid to cast I will use a standard 9 ft. rod, because it has more leverage to cast the line, which will be easier to propel line. 7 ½ Ft rods are problematic when it comes to learning, because you need to change the timing, so if they can hold a 9 Ft rod, then lets cast it.

Next thing is, have your kids ever caught a fish? I know this sounds silly but, if you have never taken the kids to a pond with a push button casting rod set-up, bobber and worms, and just caught some fish? I would have to say this might be the place to begin your quest. If your kid hates fishing, no matter how bad “YOU” want it, sometimes it’s just not meant to be. So, before you spend time effort and money, at least see if Jr. likes it and wants to do it again.

They like fishing!

Well, eureka, your kid likes to fish, you are halfway there, now you can go out and start with something very basic and easy, like going to the park and flinging a fly rod and line with a bright yarn on the end of a leader. Make a game out of it, can you hit that leaf, or that juice box? Have fun, bring snacks, but one thing to keep in mind. Once your kid is tried or bored you need to stop, right then and there.

Childrens grip strength is not the same as an adults, their hands will fatigue very quick, if you drag this out, and they start to have a Bad time because their hand is cramping, this can damage the fun time you are trying to promote, and you might have trouble repeating this. So if the fun is over, its time to go.

How to teach them to cast

Your kid likes the time spent goofing around, and now we are going to teach the young ones how to cast a fly rod for the first time. First off, let’s find your practice area, try to keep the wind to a minimum to start off, plenty of open space, nothing to get snagged on. Rig up the rod and put a piece of bright yarn on the leader so everyone can see it and you can make a game of it. Once you are rigged up, let your kid play with the rod, make circles in the air, swish it back and forth, you know, keeping it lighthearted.

Now that you have a few minutes of play time, have them start with the pick-up, and lay-down drill, or up-stop-drop. In a previous post I talked about this drill, and how you simply start with the rod parallel to the ground with some line out of the rod tip, then you pick the rod up and bring your hand to your ear, like you are answering the phone. The fly line should become airborne, the rod will stop in the 12 o’clock position or straight up, the line will fly past you, once the line is straight behind you then simply bring the rod back to the starting position, all the while with you forearm at your side.

The goal here is to get the fly-line off the ground with enough speed to fly into the back cast position, once in the back cast position, then drive your forearm forward and down, (like you are hanging up the phone) sending the line forward to the stop or beginning position. If you have done it correctly the line should be in the same position as when you started.

That’s all there is too the drill. Once this is no longer a challenge, find some of the countless “You tube”, videos and learn more drills to further teach the skills needed to cast proficiently. Try to do this in a sequential manner, try not to give too many instructions all at the same time. When I teach casting to adults, I usually only give students 2 or 3 things at the most, to work on at any one time.

A few things to mention is to not be critical in the beginning, let them flop around, get the feel of the super long thing with string. Once they can begin to show some grip strength and a little coordination, you can start improving the function, and form will then follow. Remember to have fun at all times, lead by example, watch how Mommy or Daddy can hit that juice box, make it a game.

The kids can now cast a fly rod

Awesome, you have done a great job, your kids can cast a fly rod with some skill now it’s time to go fishing. On your first days of fishing, keep in mind that this trip is for them, not a case of “I’m going to fish, and you can watch”. This might be a short-lived sport for them, unless they are one of the DNA hardwired kids I spoke of before.

On the first trips, make sure sunscreen, hats, glasses, even a life vest could be a good idea if you are near a big body of water. Plenty of snacks, juice boxes, and waters are all things that need to be on the list of essentials. One thing to bring just in case as a “back up Plan” is the Snoopy pole. If things go sideways, you can always break out the trusted Snoopy pole. Just as long as the goal remains the same to “have fun”. 

Again, remember this trip is for them, having fun, spending time outdoors, sharing family moments, throwing rocks, whatever. I think you can get the vibe of these trips. Once you have a few under your belt, and maybe even caught a fish or two, you might begin to see the kids now wanting to go fishing and are looking forward to it, instead of it being a chore that is dreaded.

Great job

Hopefully with some of the planning items I have discussed, you just may have created a fishing buddy that will fish with you for the rest of your lives. I always take a moment to smile and watch a family while they are fishing together. To hear the kids laughing Dad getting frustrated, see the smiles on a kids face when they do land a fish, and usually wanting to shove it in Moms or Sisters face, but still a good time.

The seasons I spent as a Mentor for the Denver Bass Master’s Junior program was truly a highlight of my time on the water. These were kids from 8-14 years old and would compete in mini tournaments. 

To listen to these kids, smack talk to each other and smile from ear-to-ear as they held up their catch was something I will never forget. Some of these kids have even become Colorado State Jr. Champions and moved up to the National level.

 Remember you are not just teaching a kid how to fish, you are teaching them life skills, comradery, respect for the outdoors, and self-sufficiency that will carry into adult hood.

 I hope this helps give you a starting point to help teach your own children to fish, or kids in your immediate family, teach a neighbor’s kid to fish. Whatever the case, have fun and make memories that will last a lifetime and can be shared.

Tight lines

Gary