As adults we often forget the world is filled with magic!

Work, everyday cares, the mortgage, gas prices, all the baggage
that comes with age so often blinds us to the fact the world
surrounding us is a place of infinite joy, hidden secrets, with
immense discoveries lurking around every corner, just waiting to
delight us.

But kids are another story! Youngsters are learning
continuously; everything is new and fresh and exciting. Kids have
enthusiasm and are so anxious to learn and experience all that is
edifying and of worth.

Let us take fishing for example. I still get excited over the
whole concept. In front of you is a liquid element. A fish 10 feet
from shore and underneath some weeds might as well be on the moon.
You have no way of knowing the fish is there or if you did know it
was there you are still helpless to lay your hands upon it. If you
go 50 feet from shore, well the impossibility just grows.

But if you have a fishing pole, a reel, line and hook, why a
whole new universe opens before you. Staggering possibilities
blossom before your eyes and that shining water suddenly becomes
much more than a pretty picture. There are fish there and all of a
sudden you have the opportunity to catch one!

A young child grasps this concept quickly and if you can give
them the opportunity to catch a fish within their allotted and
often times short attention span, magical things can happen for
them.

Any fisherman who has spent years at the sport, constantly
learning and perfecting their technique finds it easy to forget
just how many things they have to do right to catch a fish! You
have long ago forgotten learning to cast, correct pole position,
hook sizes, lures to match the conditions and cover, bait, the
problems of slack line, too big a bobber, too much weight, all the
countless little things that all add up to becoming a good
angler.

The younger the child, the simpler you need to keep things. If
you are not an accomplished angler you can still take your kid
fishing and enjoy success in the right conditions and have a ball
yourself. Here is how to do it.

Kids take time to grasp the very simplest concepts. Setting the
hook is always a problem, paying close attention another and just
casting and reeling are often times great challenges in themselves.
An inexpensive spin cast rod and reel can be purchased at any
department store. Next, buy a bobber about one inch in diameter. I
like the orange foam type. Next some long shank size 8 hooks and a
container of worms. That’s it! For under $20 you have everything
you need to catch some fish.

Next, ask around and find a good area to go fishing. It might be
Allegany State Park, Chautauqua Lake, a private pond or other body
of water with some sunfish, trout or other hungry species. When you
are there tie on your hook, put your bobber on making sure it keeps
your bait off the bottom. Many times I see people in two feet of
water with three feet of line under the float. Not good. With the
bait on the bottom it is hard to find and if a fish does hit he
will have swallowed the bait before you know he is on, making it
much harder to remove the hook.

Don’t use the entire worm or nightcrawler. Thread the worm on
the hook until it is covered, then break off the excess. Cast out
and wait for five or 10 minutes. If you don’t get a hit, reel in
and cast to a different area. When you get a hit, the bobber will
be pulled under. Remember exactly where that spot is and how far
from shore. Often times the fish prefer one small spot or area.

When the bobber goes down the odds are you will have slack in
your line. Reel out the slack until you feel a tug or resistance on
the line, then jerk! With some luck you will be fast to a scrappy
fish.

Perch, bluegills and rock bass have sharp spines on their back.
When you grab the fish slide your hand from the head back and press
them down until they are flat against the fish back and can’t stab
you. Bring a rag to wipe your hands on.

The wonder and excitement of a child and their first few fish is
a joy to behold. Take the opportunity to try your luck and remember
to bring a camera. You and your child just may have the time of
your lives and develop a hobby that will last a lifetime.