When introducing someone new to the sport of fly fishing, set it up so success comes early and often.
What does that look like?
- Rig the rod, reel, line, and terminal tackle for them and have them watch and learn
- Take them to a stocked pond
- This could be a pond stocked with trout, but bluegill, sunfish, and bass are often more willing participants, so try one of those options first.
- Fish by any means necessary to catch a fish
- Sure, this could include fly fishing for a bit, but especially with kids, think about having a conventional tackle setup with you as well to ensure they get to enjoy the thrill of catching, reeling in, seeing, and releasing the fish.
- Take breaks to check out your surroundings
- Look for bugs on rocks and bushes nearby
- Watch for birds soaring overhead
- Walk around the area to learn about ideal holding spots for fish
The more you can stack the deck in the newbies’ favor, the more likely they are to come back for another try.
