So my daughters are 3&4. The 4 yr old is almost 5. I took them fishing last year with a little abu garcia push button rig. I am thinking of getting a couple tenkara rods and letting them use those. Sierra trading post has a wetfly 8' on sale for $69. Anybody have any experience with young kids and tenkara or fly fishing in general? I am trying to instill our love and respect for the outdoors in our children and I think fishing is a great way to do it. Also looking for any general input in getting young kids into fly fishing. Thanks
3,4 yr olds tenkara?
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So, not really answering your question, but here's my advice:
Make it a fun outing that includes fun fishing. My kids are in their twenties, and when they were little we focused on catching crabs, using bait, anything that made the trip fun and interesting.
Plenty of little snacks, too.
A buddy of mine fishes with his little girl, and sent me pictures this weekend of her holding a fish. In the background, in the bottom of the boat, were Lego blocks and other toys.
Until kids are about 10, their attention span is so short that they can get miserable in a boat or on a fishing trip unless there's something fun for them to do.
As for gear, whatever they reach for is what I'd use. Push button Barbie or Batman if that's what it is. They're watching you, and if fly fishing looks like fun they'll let you know.
Make it a fun outing that includes fun fishing. My kids are in their twenties, and when they were little we focused on catching crabs, using bait, anything that made the trip fun and interesting.
Plenty of little snacks, too.
A buddy of mine fishes with his little girl, and sent me pictures this weekend of her holding a fish. In the background, in the bottom of the boat, were Lego blocks and other toys.
Until kids are about 10, their attention span is so short that they can get miserable in a boat or on a fishing trip unless there's something fun for them to do.
As for gear, whatever they reach for is what I'd use. Push button Barbie or Batman if that's what it is. They're watching you, and if fly fishing looks like fun they'll let you know.
Redington makes a short practice rod that is perfect for younger kids. A short 6 foot Tenkara rod could work also, but the longer rods are very difficult for 4 year olds to cast.
We also got a couple plastic backyard bass for flyfishing target practice off amazon.
Here is link to the redington practice rod :
We also got a couple plastic backyard bass for flyfishing target practice off amazon.
Here is link to the redington practice rod :
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200 Posts
My primary fishing these days is being a hack at the 4wt and having a blast while old enough to be digressing toward your kids age and my kids are probably same age as most on this board.
I own a Tenkara for the simple reason is its under 1lb and fits easily in my backpack. I think the 4wt requires less skill as I have not become that proficient with it yet.
My advice is get a bamboo cane pole. Original fly rods were bamboo and the Tenkara is nothing more than a japanese cane pole IMHO.
As a kid, I used to tie flys to the end of a leader of a bamboo rod with great results and you cant beat live bait on a small hook. Kids don't care what they catch so just keep their attention as stated above.
Also when they brake the tip (notice not "if") its not a big deal, they just graduated to a stiffer tip.
Buy a long one and start with a couple of sections. Then add sections as they progress. Not an option on other manmade rods.
But as always, just my .00002654 sense.
SJ
I own a Tenkara for the simple reason is its under 1lb and fits easily in my backpack. I think the 4wt requires less skill as I have not become that proficient with it yet.
My advice is get a bamboo cane pole. Original fly rods were bamboo and the Tenkara is nothing more than a japanese cane pole IMHO.
As a kid, I used to tie flys to the end of a leader of a bamboo rod with great results and you cant beat live bait on a small hook. Kids don't care what they catch so just keep their attention as stated above.
Also when they brake the tip (notice not "if") its not a big deal, they just graduated to a stiffer tip.
Buy a long one and start with a couple of sections. Then add sections as they progress. Not an option on other manmade rods.
But as always, just my .00002654 sense.
SJ
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205 Posts
I taught my 8 year old to cast with a practice caster (like above) in the yard and she loved it. Then we went to a mountain stream with guaranteed brookies. First I handed her the tenkara rod thinking minimal line management would be a bonus. She was bummed because she likes reeling in the line on the pushbutton. But the real problem was that she couldn't handle the long rod (11'). So we switched to my 6' 3wt fiberglass rod. She could cast that ok but almost immediately got distracted by how fun it is to throw rocks. So we threw rocks together. I got to jump a few brookies (upstream of the rock thrower) and we all had a good time.
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3,850 Posts
My almost 3 year old keeps pestering me to use the "fwy wod" but he currently uses his Zebco as a fishing rod, push pole, drum stick, and occasional sword so I'm a little hesitant.
If they're going to use Tenkara or regular fly rod get them eye protection from the flying hooks!
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