My little guy (Liam) at 4 yrs old I think has already figured out my passion
and I am super careful to give him space when it comes to fishing / fly tying.
I know that getting him into it now will be very frustrating as he is quite
young to handle larger rods, and understanding techniques - and most
importantly patience. Especially at 4 yrs old. When I do take him
fishing, the fishing is really the back drop. The focus is neat snacks (that
maybe mom doesn't let him have [Moxie and Beef Jerky] {I am kidding with these
two examples}), exploring (getting wet and mucky around the shoreline putting
around while I am fishing), and going new places (spend 30 minutes at a new
fishing spot and then spend 2 hours finding the local public playground and
then playing there).
I have taken some cool realistic type nymphs and dry flies and have cut the
hook off and have given them to him for his artificial bug collection - the
ones mom lets into the house.
I have a book fly fishing and children which I have not finished reading but
this process outlined doesn't really begin until 6 or 7 yrs.
My goal and hope is that there will be an age where he and I can be out on the
water and mutually enjoy each others presence, the thrill of catching fish, and
a solid communication channel between a father and son. I would be elated.
Fly tying - he loves the secret messy room in the basement. He likes to come
down and play with glitter glue on construction paper while I tie. This is his
craft time. Very special. I do give him feathers to glue but he is not
really into that.
However recently when he knows I am teaching fly tying on Monday nights and
that I won't see him until Tuesday am - when I talk with him on the phone while
driving to my class, he asks me several questions about students and wanting to
go to the class too. So I think I might be giving lessons very soon.
(Exciting stuff)...
My 4 month old (Adrian) on the other hand would eat my entire fly tying
material inventory (as he is teething) so he is not allowed into the messy
room... hehehe.
Chappy
www.chappysguide.com
________________________________________
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Neal Patrick
Eller
Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2006 6:22 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [VFB] Fly Tying and Children
When have others started their children fly tying. My son enjoyed wrapping
materials around the vise at 2 1/2 years old, now a year later he is not quite
as into it. He also has made the transition from the fly rod to the spinning
rod in the last year. Just wondering about other peoples experiences.
Pat Eller
