Teaching new anglers a worthy resolution
After a long couple weeks of holiday hoopla, I am firmly looking forward to the new year. With that comes, of course, the annual New Year's resolutions. Of course, one of my resolutions is fishing related.
Like many, eating better and getting more exercise are perpetual resolutions that I will try to focus on in 2022. Joining them on my list is another perpetual resolution that is very important to me and should be one that you consider as well: take at least one person fishing for the first time.
In the interest of maintaining fishing's long-term health, it is necessary to continue to grow the ranks of anglers in our communities. All of this starts by introducing beginners to the sport and teaching them not only how to fish, but how to be good stewards for our waterways and wild places. Over the last few years, fishing has seen plenty of new faces, but as always, the more the merrier!
If you intend to follow through on this resolution, there a few tips that I can give that can make the experience run smoothly and provide a realistic chance for further interest from the beginning angler.
1. Start Small: When showing a new angler the ropes, it is important to start out with some easy fishing techniques that can result in success. Choosing to fish live bait or basic lures for panfish like bluegill, sunfish and perch is a great starting point that will help to provide a baseline for further fishing education and experiences.
2. Think Local: For the sake of convenience, it is highly recommended that introductory fishing trips be held in places close to home. This promotes easy access to fishing opportunities for the new angler and allows said angler to look at fishing through a community lens.
3. Mix It Up: What is awesome about fishing is that it never takes one form. One minute, you could be floating a worm for bluegill, or soaking chicken liver for catfish, or hopping a plastic worm for bass. During a new angler's initiation to fishing, be sure to show them all of fishing's different styles and techniques. Doing so will surely help them to become a more rounded angler.
4. Beyond the Fish: While catching fish is important, there are other parts of fishing that are critical teaching points for first-time anglers. Teaching new anglers to respect waterways and pick up after themselves is crucial, as is following regulations, limits and buying necessary permits. In fishing, being a good citizen is more important than being a good angler, and that development process starts in the beginning stages.