Turn a kid on to flyfishing

 

Schooling your kids on flyfishing doesn't have to be as trying as helping them with their math homework. Start by limiting the time on the pond to a half-hour chunk. That prevents the kid from getting frustrated and the teacher from blowing a fuse. Here's how to optimize those minutes.

KNOW YOUR STUDENTS Tailor your comments to your kids' age levels. A 14-year-old might understand what you mean by feel the rod load, but an 8-year-old won't. Remember to bring your own rod so you don't take the rod from the kid; that feels like punishment. Don't wait for perfection. Instead, introduce new concepts quickly to battle boredom.

TEACH TIMING Start off with sidearm casts so that the kids can watch the fly line and better understand the physics of casting. Emphasize that fly casting is about timing, not strength.

MAKE A CASTING CALL Tell your kids to treat the rod like a ringing telephone: Bring the rod up close to their ear, say, Hello, this is Drew Smith, and then set the phone down. That's the basic fly-casting movement: Sweep the rod back, stop it, let the rod load, and then make a forward cast.

KEEP THINGS ROLLING If the kids struggle with the basics, switch to roll casting for the time being. It's easier to learn, and with a bit of success, they'll be ready to tackle a standard cast.

TIME TO FISH Find a likely spot: Choose a time and place where the fish are willing. Bream beds are perfect.

GO PRO Do your kids bristle at every suggestion you make? Sign up for a casting school, or hire a guide for a half day and outsource the tricky parts.

CHOOSE A ROD A soft action helps kids feel the rod flex and load. Be wary of supershort rods, which can be difficult to cast. Go for an 8-foot, 6-weight, two-piece outfit.

CONSIDER LINE WEIGHT Overline the rod by one line weight for easier turnover.

GO EASY WITH FLIES Get a barbed fly stuck in your child's forehead and you can forget about him or her as a future fishing buddy. Only use flies with barbless hooks. For practice, tie orange egg yarn next to the fly to make it visible. On the water, cast big high-floating flies like Stimulators.