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Do's and don't
of fishing with kids
KETCHUM, Okla. - Psst. Mom, Dad. If you're ready to take the little
person
in your house on his or her first fishing trip, here are three
words of
advice:
Just have fun.
That's the main message in a
series of do's and don'ts prepared by Hooked on Fishing International
(HOFI). HOFI is the expert on the subject of taking kids fishing.
Every year the Ketchum, Okla. organization, host of the Wal-Mart
Kids All-American Fishing Derby, puts on more than 1,800 fishing
events for 300,000 kids in all 50 states.
The reward for a successful
trip easily outweigh the risk of failure. Seeing
your little angler have a good time, maybe even catch a fish,
is a significant reward, to be sure. But, the real reward for
parents is knowing that a successful trip could become the spark
that fires a lifetime of fishing, the back-to-nature platform
that teaches respect for the land, water and everything that
lives. It follows, too, that some of those trips will be family
fishing trips that build a store of shared experiences and love.
To up the chances for success
on your young anglers outing, HOFI
suggests you consider the following guidelines.
§
Do use live bait to increase the chances of catching a fish.
While catching a fish does not make the difference between a
fun or lousy time, the thrill of feeling a fish on the line will
just about guarantee that your little angler will want to come
back for more. For safety's sake, the grownups should handle
putting the worms and minnows on sharp hooks. Incidentally, HOFI
records show that worms and minnows catch 80 percent of the fish
at the Wal-Mart Kids All American Fishing Derbies.
§
Don't ever forget to bring lots of delicious snacks. As you probably
know, a hungry tummy trumps just about everything. Keep wet wipes
on hand for use before and after snacks.
§
Do give the child his own fishing outfit, a gesture that will
make this day even more memorable for the adults and child. There
is a practical aspect to this, too. For short anglers, short
rods are easier to handle.
§
Do bring a camera and shoot lots of pictures. This day will live
in the memory for a long time but the details will come flooding
back, even a generation later, when you haul out the family photo
album.
§
Also, do bring sunscreen, insect repellent, and first aid basics.
§
Don't drive too far. The object is to minimize the times back
seat auto passengers ask the front seat, "Are we there yet?"
§
Don't fish too long. Leave a little fishing desire in the bank
for the next fishing trip.
One more time, remember, have
fun and keep it simple!
These are the same do's and
don'ts that HOFI dispenses to the adult volunteers and parents
who plan and supervise local events in the Wal-Mart Kids All-American
Fishing Derby program. Parents can go to the official web site
- www.kids-fishing.com -- to find the derby closest to them.
The Derby Locator section also provides the phone number of the
local derby contact to call for additional information
Organizations interested in
hosting an event in 2004 can register on the web site. HOFI provides
a free kit which contains all of the items necessary to put on
a local derby, including, an organizer handbook, prizes and goodies
for each derby participant. In addition to Wal-Mart, the events
are funded and supported by Bar-S Foods Company; Dubble Bubble
Bubble Gum; Eagle Claw; EverStart Batteries; FishingWorld.com;
Fujifilm; ConAgra Foods; Johnson & Johnson First Aid Pocket
Pals; Kellogg,s; Kraft Foods; Laker Fishing Tackle; Berkley Trilene
and Berkley PowerBait; and Zebco.
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