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Walter & Group...
[GH] We have spent a great deal of time with many messages and lots of discussion on the topic of teaching youngsters.
I think this is one of the most important subjects we tackle, since what we do now with these youngsters is the basis for our fly fishing legacy.
Many of us are "Federators" who are getting along in years. I fear the average age of members may be increasing. For us to survive as the FFF of the future, we need to nurture our young people as effectively as we can...... then bring them along as members.
One thing that would help .... a thrust toward more casting/fly fishing activities for youngsters at our conclaves, fairs, and regional activities. It turn, this would make it likely that more of our member parents would bring the kids when they attend.
Kids, now, are being exposed to so many things.................
Getting their heads out of a rapidly expanding electronic World long enough for them to ever know the joys of fly fishing may prove to be the secret to our FFF's continued existence.
Gordy
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>From Ted Warren:
I've had the privilege of teaching my now 15 year old grandson the fun of fishing as well as a number of other life lessons along the way (such as conservation, courtesy, respect, and etiquette). But, I've also learned a few things from him.
He is quite proficient at using a fly rod, spinning gear, bait casters, a casting net, and bait traps. And, he is no less a sportsman when using one type of equipment than another.
What he is figuring out is the best way to catch a particular fish in a specific location and set of conditions. In other words, he's learning how to be a fisherman. He's not hung up on some social hierarchy of fishing techniques. He wants to do is efficiently catch fish in a legal and ethical manner and have fun.
When we go trout fishing his first choice of equipment is usually a spinning outfit and a white rooster tail because he can catch more fish faster in many situations. However, in some situations, he now recognizes that properly presenting a fly is the best way to catch fish and grabs his fly rod from the very start. More than once, he has ask me why I'm using my fly rod when he's catching twice as many fish as I am. The answer is never because I'm more sophisticated or have more money or am more skilled. It's usually because I enjoy fly fishing and the unique opportunities and challenges it presents. To which, he just smiles and lands another fish before I do. To which, I just smile and brag on his skill and luck.
We often discuss the condition of the environment of our location, the characteristics of the fish and their habitat, characteristics and habits, how much fishing pressure there is, what they'll bite on, and how we'll approach the fishing day. We nearly always use artificial flies and lures and practice catch and release but have no shame when we catch our own live bait and bait fish and cook some up for dinner when the fish are abundant and thriving.
It was rewarding last month to see him teaching his much younger brother and sister how to catch bluegill and catfish at the local pond with a lot more patience than I had at his age. I think he likes to fish because he catches fish but I'm pretty sure he's got an innate love of the outdoors and the sport of fishing. I think he's going to turn out all right and I sure don't want to do anything to mess that up by saying or doing anything that's demeaning about something as trivial as the equipment with which he chooses to fish.
Ted
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[GH] Ted,
Well said !
Gordy
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