Many civic groups and conservation organizations sponsor kids fishing derbies each year. Here, a member of the Quail Forever chapter in Bowling Green, Kentucky nets a channel cat for one of the proud young anglers attending their annual event.
Rodeo Time
Story & photos by Richard Hines
Beginning this spring and continuing into summer, numerous organizations will be sponsoring fishing events for youths and first-time anglers. Take advantage of this opportunity.
It seemed like hours. The waiting was killing me and, worst of all, everyone had caught a fish except me. I was thinking, “Will this will be the beginning of a long fishing career or a good time to do something else?” Even at six years old, I might have been questioning why I was taking this path in life.
As the minutes went by, nature called, and I headed into bushes for a “break.” About that time, I heard my neighbor from Greenville, Kentucky, Tom Lewis, yell, “You’ve got a fish on!” I ran back to my pole and, sure enough, the bobber was racing back and forth with a nice bluegill still fighting as I pulled it in. That was 67 years ago. It was my first fish and the beginning of many fishing trips, thanks to the neighbor who helped get me started.
At the time, I was in a single parent’s home. My dad had been killed in the Korean War, so like many kids with a single parent, I was dependent on other dads in the neighborhood to take me fishing. But I did get invitations and, even to this day, I recall many of those trips and still appreciate the dads of my friends who took me fishing.
Today, the number of agencies and organizations that hold youth fishing events is almost limitless.
Fishing derbies allow all parents and grandparents to introduce children to fishing. These youth fishing events are found in every state. They are sponsored by each state and numerous federal resource agencies, as well as state and city parks and local sportsmen’s clubs.
With a quick scan of the internet, you should find a list of events in your immediate area.
If you are a single parent or even a couple who have not spent much time outdoors, or who have never fished, this is the perfect time to take your youngster on a slightly different type of outing. Equipment is usually supplied, so all you need to bring is your child.
What to do when you arrive at the fishing derby.
Once you arrive and sign in, let the sponsors know you are new to fishing and could use some guidance. That’s why the volunteers are there, so let them help you get your rod and reel rigged up and, if they are explaining how to do it, let the sponsor work one on one with your youngster. Trust me, they want to see every kid catch fish.
Additionally, just like any public event, good etiquette should be practiced, even on the shoreline. Taking a young angler out in a crowd for the first time may set his future behavior on shorelines for years to come. For instance, when you arrive, pick out a less crowded spot. Youngsters will want to cast their new pole, so make sure there is plenty of room to cast. When someone catches a fish, don’t jump up and run to that spot, and don’t immediately cast to a spot where someone else just caught a fish. In most cases, these catfish events have ponds that are “overloaded” for the event, so fish are continually on the move. One place is as good as the other!
When your youngster prepares to cast, get them into the habit of looking not only where they are going to cast, but check behind them so they don’t accidentally hook someone. Get them into the habit of watching their bobbers and not everyone else’s. Patience is the key to catching a fish, and it’s a hard lesson to teach an excited youngster.
Don’t overlook Free Fishing Weekends.
When you attend fishing events, no license is required, but if you happen to miss the local derby and don’t want the expense of purchasing a license, each state also provides free fishing weekends. Most of these are held in June, but dates vary by state. All these events give you a chance to spend some time outdoors with your child.
To find out more about fishing events, visit your state fish and wildlife agency website. All information about public fishing should be provided there. If you are planning to travel to see friends or relatives, you might view the Take Me Fishing website, which lists free fishing weekends in all 50 states.
Don’t let the lack of equipment keep you home.
Here in my home state of Kentucky, most of our local fish and wildlife offices provide loaner rods, reels and even tackleboxes for beginner anglers and families, but you will have to buy your own bait. You’ll find the same situation in many other states as well.
Loaner fishing equipment is also available in locations you never considered.
Our public library in Edmonton, Kentucky provides loaner fishing rods and reels. However, anytime you are planning to fish, read the fishing license requirements for your state. If your child is fishing at a derby or other event, a license is not required, but if you fish in public waters, a license is required for each person over 16 years old who holds a fishing pole.
Again, these rules and regulations vary in each state!
If you want to try fishing yourself, then you should either buy a license or take advantage of the free weekend.
No matter the size, it’s a trophy.
No matter how the trip goes, youngsters will remember it. I remember when I was about 14, my stepfather took me fishing on one of our local lakes. The mosquitoes were so bad we had to quickly retreat, and we didn’t catch one fish, but we laughed about those mosquitoes for years after that.
No matter the size of the fish or how bad the conditions, youngsters will remember every fishing trip. So, do your best to make it an enjoyable trip. Also, if there is a child of a single parent you know, encourage them to attend one of these fishing events.
(Richard Hines is a retired wildlife biologist, book author and award-winning freelance outdoor writer and photographer. Since 1985, Hines has published hundreds of articles on hunting, fishing, conservation and natural history. Every January and February. he puts hunting and fishing on a temporary hold while he and his wife Pam tap over 200 sugar maple trees to produce their own blend of Kentucky maple syrup.)
