Throwing the challenge flag

[kevinb]

As if I were Holmgren or Parcells,throwing that red challenge flag to get a review. I'm challenging all of us anglers to take our youth on the water this fishing season. It seems that today the majority of our youth are caught up in x-box,myspace etc. I'm not bashing those things,they can be entertaining but I feel they do not promote positive growth. As anglers oursevles,most of us didn't say to ourselves "Hey,I'll try that."Somewhere,somebody showed us the ropes. He/She gave up their time and patience to show us a great sport and great places. Maybe it was a parent,family friend. For me it was my uncle,a decorated 'nam' vet. Who taught me how to cast,differant species,what signs to look for in locating fish. Not to mention just beautiful scenery.

I'm not telling anyone here something you havn't heard before. But as an NFL coach would do,I'm tossing this flag in a challenge. Take them to the Alpine Lakes,Westport or maybe even your SECRET spot. Take your sons,daughters,nieces,nephews etc. Yes,kids will frustrate you at times,YOU WILL get tangled gear,YES..they will test your patience. If you invest the time,they will never forget it. As sportsman and everything else,its their future. We can show them the way. I'm challenging ALL anglers,including myself,get the kids off the couch.
Lets show them life outside.

Thank You
Kevin:salut:

[racfish]

Kevin...You are absolutely correct.There was an old saying years ago when I was a kid."You wont find a kid in jail if they have a fishing license"
Today kids and adults spend way too much time in the electronics world and not the outdoor world.I grew up in Seattle all my life and my dad took me fishing,boating,gardening and building.It was not only rewarding but it was good physical work .I have a television at my house and a stereo.Thats it.I chucked the computer ,and the game consels out years ago.
I dont have kids to take fishing but I know everytime I see young kids fishing ,its so cool.Especially when they outfish the parents.Muahaha

[kevinb]

Right on, I've heard people talk about it.But then I asked them later and it turns out they didn't take the kids.
I just feel this is important and started this post as a reminder. No more talking about it,its time to take action. Kids are missing out.

[bassmasterderek]

For those of you that have tried taking the kids and got frustrated the whole time try this! I taught my oldest girl to fish since she was 3. Everytime her attention span only lasted 30 minutes max. One day when she was four I decided to take her best friend. Well her best friend caught a nice triploid in the first five minutes. My daughter became very patient and competitive. We ended up fishing most of the day catching fish after fish and my daughter didn't complian once she even sat on the bench and barely moved except to cast.

My daughter is six now, she has three rods with one favorite go to rod. She ties her own knots and even baits her own hook. I think the competition with a friend made her want to learn more about fishing and how she could do it on her own.

Probably don't work all the time but has worked on her. My youngest daughter (2) WILL catche her first fish soon!

[A9]

Well stated
Had me confused when I read the title of the thread, but your words were well written and I agree with you...

[kevinb]

Thanks, I'm not the best writer...however, I am a huge football fan.

[2000subaru]

Thanks for the tips via PM Kevin. My boy and myself are going to catch some nice little fishies soon.

[Anonymous]

Good stuff kevinb. Great challenge for all with children. I hope people do get their kids out this year to enjoy fishing and to teach them the proper edicate and how to treat mother nature with respect. I can't wait until my boy grows up enough to go.
Get out and fish! Even if you don't catch anything, it will still be a great bonding time and I guarantee something your child will remember forever. I remember fishing (going on trips) with my dad as a kid, I can't tell specifically what I caught, but I do remember it was a fun time with my dad. And that is all that matters.



fishnislife

[kevinb]

Thanks for the support,but like i said...we've all heard this before. But i think somewhere in day to day life,we forget. Sometimes we need the solo time or a fish'n buddy. But we also need to lead by example.

Thanks
Kevin

[EastsideRedneck]

I just bought my wife and daughter gear during the "off-season." Both of them are pretty excited to get involved in one of my favorite hobbies. I'm lucky they are so supportive of all of them... they even hang around and help out during track days at Pacific Raceways.

[kuttkilla]

I just bought my wife and daughter gear during the "off-season." Both of them are pretty excited to get involved in one of my favorite hobbies. I'm lucky they are so supportive of all of them... they even hang around and help out during track days at Pacific Raceways.

Good for them. Sweet.

[Anglinarcher]

As if I were Holmgren or Parcells,throwing that red challenge flag to get a review. I'm challenging all of us anglers to take our youth on the water this fishing season. It seems that today the majority of our youth are caught up in x-box,myspace etc. I'm not bashing those things,they can be entertaining but I feel they do not promote positive growth. As anglers oursevles,most of us didn't say to ourselves "Hey,I'll try that."Somewhere,somebody showed us the ropes. He/She gave up their time and patience to show us a great sport and great places. Maybe it was a parent,family friend. For me it was my uncle,a decorated 'nam' vet. Who taught me how to cast,differant species,what signs to look for in locating fish. Not to mention just beautiful scenery.

I'm not telling anyone here something you havn't heard before. But as an NFL coach would do,I'm tossing this flag in a challenge. Take them to the Alpine Lakes,Westport or maybe even your SECRET spot. Take your sons,daughters,nieces,nephews etc. Yes,kids will frustrate you at times,YOU WILL get tangled gear,YES..they will test your patience. If you invest the time,they will never forget it. As sportsman and everything else,its their future. We can show them the way. I'm challenging ALL anglers,including myself,get the kids off the couch.
Lets show them life outside.

Thank You
Kevin:salut:

My kids are all grown up, but I took them whenever they would let me drag them out of bed at 0500 hours.

My two oldest Grandkids just moved out of state, I was planning on getting them out this year. That really sucks!

Taking out the neighbors kids had better mean taking out the neighbor (with todays laws, etc.), and I think I won't be doing that.

I sure do agree with the concept though.

[JT26]

if this helps anyone, when i tell kids at school im fishing that weekend they are always like "fishing is boring, you sit there for ten hours and catch no fish". so take them to catch a million perch before you worry about bigger stuff like bass

[michaelunbewust]

JT26, I ALWAYS START THEM ON PERCH, AND, THEY ALWAYS GET THE FEVER. I SPEND PROBABLY 1/4TH OF MY FISHING TIME OUT ON THE WATER WITH AT-RISK KIDS. IT HAS CHANGED THE LIVES OF ONLY A COUPLE, BUT, WELL WORTH IT. I, ALSO, GET YOUTH GROUPS TOGETHER TO DO FIELD TRIPS, OVER TO POTHOLES TO HELP BUILD HABITAT BOXES FOR MARDON'S WARMWATER ENHANCEMENT PROJECT. IVE POSTED ON THIS SITE BEFORE ASKING FOR VOLUNTEERS, AND, GOT 4 REPLIES, SO, MAYBE WITH THIS CHALLENGE FLAG OUT, WE MIGHT SEE SOME MORE VOLUNTEERS!:cheers: I THINK THIS IS A MUCH-NEEDED THREAD. OUR KIDS ARE GOING DOWN HILL FOR THE MAJORITY OF TODAY'S SOCIETY. I HAD 2 GRANDDADS, BUT, ALOT OF KIDS DO NOT, ESPECIALLY, SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES. EXCELLANT CHALLENGE KEVIN!! I ACCEPT. ANY OTHER TAKERS??

[kuttkilla]

But we also need to lead by example.

I was out at Cottage Lake one day in July plunking from the dock and saw a father verbally abusing his kids - cussing, etc. when it came to fishing. I was with my cousin and we just let it slide. I'm always afraid to intervene in a situation like that because I'm not sure how the father would have reacted if we would have stepped in. There was no physical abuse, just verbal. I felt so bad for this kid(s)...they had 4, because they all had to listen to this dense, over zealous dad just pound them with profanity...the oldest was no older than 12 years old. What do you guys do in this situation when you see this? Do you step in and tell the father he obviously needs to clean up his act, or do you let it "slide" like I did...I never want confrontational encounters on or near water...

[kevinb]

But we also need to lead by example.

I was out at Cottage Lake one day in July plunking from the dock and saw a father verbally abusing his kids - cussing, etc. when it came to fishing. I was with my cousin and we just let it slide. I'm always afraid to intervene in a situation like that because I'm not sure how the father would have reacted if we would have stepped in. There was no physical abuse, just verbal. I felt so bad for this kid(s)...they had 4, because they all had to listen to this dense, over zealous dad just pound them with profanity...the oldest was no older than 12 years old. What do you guys do in this situation when you see this? Do you step in and tell the father he obviously needs to clean up his act, or do you let it "slide" like I did...I never want confrontational encounters on or near water...

Thats a tough call. I've seen that before and have made comments to the parents. I'm not sure if this is a smart idea. But, I felt that it was my duty to act. But be ready for a show down. Some people are really "hot headed". I'm not a tough guy nor do I try to play one. When some jerk wants push his kids around because he has issues. I feel I need to step in and at minimum let him know how embarassed he should feel.

I'm not telling anyone here to get into a confrontation.

[kevinb]

JT26, I ALWAYS START THEM ON PERCH, AND, THEY ALWAYS GET THE FEVER. I SPEND PROBABLY 1/4TH OF MY FISHING TIME OUT ON THE WATER WITH AT-RISK KIDS. IT HAS CHANGED THE LIVES OF ONLY A COUPLE, BUT, WELL WORTH IT. I, ALSO, GET YOUTH GROUPS TOGETHER TO DO FIELD TRIPS, OVER TO POTHOLES TO HELP BUILD HABITAT BOXES FOR MARDON'S WARMWATER ENHANCEMENT PROJECT. IVE POSTED ON THIS SITE BEFORE ASKING FOR VOLUNTEERS, AND, GOT 4 REPLIES, SO, MAYBE WITH THIS CHALLENGE FLAG OUT, WE MIGHT SEE SOME MORE VOLUNTEERS!:cheers: I THINK THIS IS A MUCH-NEEDED THREAD. OUR KIDS ARE GOING DOWN HILL FOR THE MAJORITY OF TODAY'S SOCIETY. I HAD 2 GRANDDADS, BUT, ALOT OF KIDS DO NOT, ESPECIALLY, SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES. EXCELLANT CHALLENGE KEVIN!! I ACCEPT. ANY OTHER TAKERS??

Good call. I didn't see that before. I would be willing to give you hand. This is very cool. Hopefully more takers.

[HillbillyGeek]

But we also need to lead by example.

I was out at Cottage Lake one day in July plunking from the dock and saw a father verbally abusing his kids - cussing, etc. when it came to fishing. I was with my cousin and we just let it slide. I'm always afraid to intervene in a situation like that because I'm not sure how the father would have reacted if we would have stepped in. There was no physical abuse, just verbal. I felt so bad for this kid(s)...they had 4, because they all had to listen to this dense, over zealous dad just pound them with profanity...the oldest was no older than 12 years old. What do you guys do in this situation when you see this? Do you step in and tell the father he obviously needs to clean up his act, or do you let it "slide" like I did...I never want confrontational encounters on or near water...

Thats a tough call. I've seen that before and have made comments to the parents. I'm not sure if this is a smart idea. But, I felt that it was my duty to act. But be ready for a show down. Some people are really "hot headed". I'm not a tough guy nor do I try to play one. When some jerk wants push his kids around because he has issues. I feel I need to step in and at minimum let him know how embarassed he should feel.

I'm not telling anyone here to get into a confrontation.

Sometimes distraction is a better tactic than confrontation. If someone is being a jerk, you could just walk up and start talking about fishing in general -- not the current stressful situation. Most adults will not act like children if someone else is in the immediate vacinity, especially if they don't know the person.

I was on storm lake last year when a young boy accidentally threw his fishing pole out of the boat while trying to cast. His dad got totally pissed off and started screaming F-bombs at his kid tellling him how stupid he was and how much money had just gone to the bottom of the lake. I immediately trolled to within 20 yards, smiled and said "I did that once when I was a kid and my dad sure was mad. I can help if you want to try to fish that pole out of the lake". The guy stopped screaming at his kid while we talked about the best methods for recovering his gear. We were not successful getting the pole back but his kid was off the hook.

[kuttkilla]

I was out at Cottage Lake one day in July plunking from the dock and saw a father verbally abusing his kids - cussing, etc. when it came to fishing. I was with my cousin and we just let it slide. I'm always afraid to intervene in a situation like that because I'm not sure how the father would have reacted if we would have stepped in. There was no physical abuse, just verbal. I felt so bad for this kid(s)...they had 4, because they all had to listen to this dense, over zealous dad just pound them with profanity...the oldest was no older than 12 years old. What do you guys do in this situation when you see this? Do you step in and tell the father he obviously needs to clean up his act, or do you let it "slide" like I did...I never want confrontational encounters on or near water...

Thats a tough call. I've seen that before and have made comments to the parents. I'm not sure if this is a smart idea. But, I felt that it was my duty to act. But be ready for a show down. Some people are really "hot headed". I'm not a tough guy nor do I try to play one. When some jerk wants push his kids around because he has issues. I feel I need to step in and at minimum let him know how embarassed he should feel.

I'm not telling anyone here to get into a confrontation.

Sometimes distraction is a better tactic than confrontation. If someone is being a jerk, you could just walk up and start talking about fishing in general -- not the current stressful situation. Most adults will not act like children if someone else is in the immediate vacinity, especially if they don't know the person.

I was on storm lake last year when a young boy accidentally threw his fishing pole out of the boat while trying to cast. His dad got totally pissed off and started screaming F-bombs at his kid tellling him how stupid he was and how much money had just gone to the bottom of the lake. I immediately trolled to within 20 yards, smiled and said "I did that once when I was a kid and my dad sure was mad. I can help if you want to try to fish that pole out of the lake". The guy stopped screaming at his kid while we talked about the best methods for recovering his gear. We were not successful getting the pole back but his kid was off the hook.

Awesome suggestion. Thanks a ton for this. Thinking back on it now, this is what I should have done...thanks Hillbilly...I will most certainly do this next time I come across this on the water. And I really enjoyed reading your story! What a cool-level-headed thing you did out there! I'm most impressed.