MUSICIANS JANEY KATZ - Zia Publishing

OUTDOORSAbove: Bud, Christopher and EthenPhoto from M.H. Salmon collection.Take A KidFISHINGBY M.H. “Dutch” SalmonSOUTHWEST NEW MEXICO IS A GREAT PLACE TO TAKE A KID FISHING.The warm climate means fishing is feasible about 9 months of the year. We don’t have alot of water – not compared to states like New York or Minnesota – but we’ve got a goodvariety of water. There are big lakes like Elephant Butte, small lakes like Lake Roberts,and streams like the Gila River. Bass, catfish, trout, carp, and panfish are all a possibility,depending on where you go.I like to start a kid fishing with bait rather than spin casting or fly fishing. It’s easier asa first step, and kids get a kick of out catching the bait as well as catching the fish withthe bait. I recall two memorable adventures out along the Gila River.My son Bud, then 8 years old, had two friends visiting from Hawaii. Christopher andEthan didn’t know word one about fishing but we gathered up some gear and away wewent. At the first crossing I turned the three rascals loose with a fine-mesh net. You shouldhave seen them get after those crawfish, scurrying away in the shallows! They whoopedand hollered and finally got up enough courage to pick them up and put them in a plastic sack. The kids had somuch fun chasing crawfish, they hated to quit and start fishing.52 – SILVER CITY LIFE