I've been taking the kids fishing a lot for years. We usually fly fish for trout and it's usually a little bit harder than it ought to be and they usually don't catch fish. My oldest (now 11) hasn't really been into it for the last 5 years or so. But the last couple of weeks, she's been a lot more interested because we're catching fish more than just fishing. She really lit up when she got a double of pollock on a teaser rig a couple weeks ago and she was super into slaying white perch and smallmouth on a Downeast lake this past weekend. The littlest (now 5) got a giant kick out of catching minnows on worms in the same lake -- a bigger minnow was then deployed as bait by big sis trolling and minutes later landed a good bass.
Anyway, it then occurred to me, for the first time in a long time, that I really like fishing, fly fishing, the act of fly fishing, whether or not I'm catching much. In particular, I really, really like dry fly fishing, so much so that I think I need to catch about 3 times more fish nymphing than dry fly fishing for me to nymph. And I really like teaching fishing. I've done a lot more guiding of kids than fishing this summer. That's what makes a fishing nut, somebody who wants to fish or help others fish whether or not they are personally doing any catching. I thought I fell in love with fishing when I was 10 or 11 or 12, but I realize now that I really loved catching at that age. But that got me out on the river and so sometime later, probably in my early 20s, I realized that I really loved fishing, not just catching. Yes, I'd rather catch fish, but I'd just as soon go fishing and catch none as stay home.
My kids don't love fishing. They really like catching fish. And that's OK.
Great post Justin. I honestly can't remember EVER not liking fishing. Or catching. My Dad used to take me after dinner in the summers when I was probably 7 or 8. Maybe even a bit younger. I remember him making a huge worm box beside the garage so we didn't have to go dig for them. Just open the lid, turn over some dirt and voila! Worms. :) I thought his black Zebco with the Silver push button was the coolest thing. And sooooo smooth. I wanted one just like it. ;) I've caught my fair share of fish these days for sure, so I really enjoy acting the amateur guide. Here and when I take someone new to the Big Horn. 40 trips and over 160 days on that water will give anyone confidence. 😁 Hope you are really enjoying being back in ME this summer.
For me it is as definitely after having kids. And don’t get me wrong. I love catching fish... but I went through all the phases of “epic days” where it was a fish, then how many fish, then big fish, and now I am busier than ever teach them to tie, cast, snag, bait, hooks and release. 90% of this summer’s have been caught by them, which is just fine. 5 year old got her first striper on Friday night from cast to boat.