By Becky Gardhouse
Waiting. Watching. Hoping for warmer weather. Up here in the far north we have experienced one of our most memorable winters in recent history. The chance for us to be out in mid December chasing lunker walleye on the Bay of Quinte yet also being able to venture out to hallowed laker grounds on Lake Simcoe are simply unheard of in recent memory. Even after the majority of the seasons closed in March, many of us were still able to venture out on the ice in early April for panfish in order to fulfill our fishing addiction. But now open water is near and anglers begin shifting their thinking to preparing for the upcoming season.
The majority of my preseason preparation is gear and tackle related. This includes taking the time to re-spool reels, making any repairs to rods that got damaged as well as spending countless hours organizing and repacking enough hooks, lures & soft plastics to open up my own tackle shop. However, this year, I have shifted a lot of my focus from my tournament fishing to something that is near and dear to my heart and so very important: Sharing my love of fishing with others.
When I was younger, I spent far more time staring at red and white bobbers than watching TV. Well, not just bobbers. Digging up my mother’s garden for worms was also a favourite past time of mine in the early years of my fishing addiction. I was notorious for sneaking away from doing farm chores. I would slip down to the river that ran through the back of our property and cast a line to pull up a massive 3” sucker, which I would happily present for “dinner”. As my desire to learn grew, I watched intently at the way topwater baits roughed up glass smooth water in the shadows of morning’s first light. Years later when I moved to Minnesota, I also stared at the cane trolling poles bent with the pulsing, wobbling tug of a big spoon. Basically, I kept my eyes on just about anything that involved the pursuit of fish.
I was lucky to grow up learning from many people who had many years of outdoor experience to call upon, and many of those who couldn’t think of anything better to do with their free time than spend it on the water. Most of the angling skills I have, I picked up by osmosis. Many people however are new to the fishing experience and they find themselves hungry to learn about the joys of our wonderful sport but are unable to find a teacher.
Nothing I will say can substitute time spent on the water with a patient relative or family friend, but here’s my best effort at passing on as much basic fishing information as I can, without making it seem more complicated than it really is. Whether their aim is to catch a pan full of small perch for a tasty meal, or to eventually pursue the more challenging aspect of trophy fishing, sit back and let’s talk about getting novice anglers interested in fishing.
Probably the most important thing to remember is that patience is key when you are taking out a novice angler. Personally, I don’t attempt to fish when I’m taking new anglers out on the water. You really need to be ready and have your hands free. Your day is going to be full of questions, unsnagging lines, potentially baiting hooks and unhooking fish and maybe even controlling the boat. Getting the hang of a new rod or reel and the inevitable bird’s nests or tangles that are bound to happen can be frustrating for everyone involved. Fishing is meant to be an enjoyable experience after all!
Introducing children to fishing can be a rewarding experience. If your novice angler is a child, be it your son or daughter, grandchild or family friend there are a few key points that you need to remember to for a fun and memorable day on the water. First and foremost, the fishing trip needs to be prepared for long before everyone is loaded in the vehicle heading for your favourite fishing hole. You must put extra time and thought into preparing for unforeseen circumstances that are usually unavoidable with little ones. Be sure to check the weather reports before you leave and make sure that your new fishing buddy is dressed appropriately. It is imperative to remember to grab a change of clothes especially when there are potentially muddy, wet conditions! Going hand in hand with proper clothing is making sure that you have a well fitted lifejacket and a simple first aid kit along with you whether you are fishing from a boat or from shore. The extras that are sometimes overlooked when I’m packing for a day on the water such as sunscreen or bug repellant are important articles to make room for in your tackle box. Their comfort will make or break the experience.
When you are packing up the tackle box also remember to account for food, drinks and snacks. A hungry tummy will sometimes end a fun fishing trip before it even begins. It is especially important to pack healthy food and drinks to compliment the weather. Lots of water to stay hydrated is certainly key.
A solid point to make a first fishing trip memorable for everyone, whether its children or adult friends, is to choose a body of water that you yourself are very familiar and comfortable with and is easy to get to and safe. Be sure to target areas with a high likelihood of success. Being able to continuously catch fish on your first few outings will peak a novice angler’s interest and leave them looking forward to the next trip. Leave unknown waters to another day, as you want to be able to quickly get on the fish and generate excitement. You want to be sure that you can keep them engaged and having fun. Sometimes the joy of catching multiple panfish far outweighs the memories of only catching one or two larger fish. Witnessing someone reeling in their first fish is very rewarding and to them a sunfish may provide them the same joy as a 3lb bass! Be prepared for lots of smiles and to take pictures. I don’t know too many anglers that can’t tell you about their first fish they landed.
One thing that I believe is the most important aspect of first fishing trips is being able to supply the new angler with simple tackle in good working order. When someone has to deal with complicated equipment it can end up being quite discouraging. I would never dream of trying to explain how to use a baitcaster as I myself know first hand how tedious and frustrating it is to get the hang of it. I personally choose a very simple spinning rod setup and always try and match the size of the rod to the person that will be using it. A medium action rod is a great choice as you are able to have the sensitivity at the tip for the angler to actually see the bite but also the power to set the hook. Live bait is always a great option and depending on the situation it can increase the chances of catching fish. A simple hook tied on beneath a colourful bobber will help them see the bite and know when to set the hook.
In our industry, it is imperative to keep the interest and involvement throughout the generations. The anglers that we teach today will take that knowledge with them and carry it throughout their lives. Sometimes the simplest actions will create the most wonderful memories. By taking the time out of your schedule to introduce people to our wonderful sport, you not only will be able to enjoy the beautiful surroundings we are all so blessed to be able to experience but, who knows, you may just end up with a new fishing buddy for life!
Tight lines everyone!
Becky Gardhouse is from Schomberg, Ontario. She is 30 years old and has been published in multiple magazines and featured in fishing blogs all over Canada and the US. Becky is a tournament angler who competes in approximately 25 tournaments per year which includes bass, pike, walleye and salmon events. She is an avid supporter of getting children & women interested in fishing, is a strong supporter of multiple charities, and an enthusiastic public speaker. You can see more of Becky’s work through connecting on social media and her website, SheChasesFish.com.
