Fly fishing and your kids (More than skills are passed on…if you help it along)

Tony Muncy will be putting together a tutorial; a how to for beginners on spey tube flies. Of course, he has to be home or wake up long enough to organize this. But, it will happen. I think.

As a fathers, we fish with our younger son or daughter and in the process spend a great deal of time teaching, instructing, berating or suggesting how to improve their skill sets. How to and a little why are the focus. A secondary benefit is the relationships that are formed between, say father and son. But, another benefit I want to suggest and promote is social skills with adults.

I would suggest joining a fly fishing club. Take along your son or daughter. Encourage them, over time, to over come any shyness and to start with the social skills that will stand them in good stead later in life. Greetings, goodbye’s, the usual give and take are important means to an end…guiding your child into the comfort as a young adult in talking to older people…people often in positions to affect your child’s destiny. The ability to have comfort in communications with others beyond their age group is a huge advantage for a teen. Fly fishing clubs provide this social exchange. Members often engage your child in conversation to draw them out and put them at ease. Engaging in this social experience helps your child blossom and gain confidence in talking to adults. You may end up standing aside and watching your young son or daughter hold their own in a conversation with an adult and marvel at their composure…in part you have facilitated this by putting them in the right environment.

I placed my son, Tony, in that environment at an early age (10 y/o) and watched him at shops, fly tying expos, fly fishing club meetings, club functions, club outings sitting around campfires and saw him handle many social encounters with mostly adult men and saw the advantages. Now, at 19 y/o he works part time at fly shop, is comfortable with people senior to him so he does not limit himself to his age group, and he now possesses for more knowledge than I ever did at his age. He easily engages adults on any outings…striking up conversations with strangers and making new friends. You should consider the possibilities.