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<strong>Siouxland</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong> | Explore / 60<br />
Hook, Line, and Sinker. “REEL” in Great Family Fun with These 7 Tips<br />
By Olivia Parks<br />
From week long fishing vacations at your<br />
favorite lake to a few hours of fishing in your tiny<br />
backyard creek, fishing is something that anyone<br />
can enjoy. Fishing with families is a great opportunity<br />
for future anglers to watch over your shoulder trying to<br />
build up their skills. Many young anglers may not be<br />
interested in a weeklong fishing vacation. However, if<br />
you are lucky to focus a couple of hours of their attention<br />
on fishing, you could make lifelong memories.<br />
There are many tips on the best fishing practices and the<br />
dos and don’ts of fishing for big rewards but, with family<br />
fishing it’s not all about being perfect. Many times with<br />
family fishing it’s about getting through the day with<br />
smiles and not tears. By staying active, and making the<br />
trip more about kids having a positive experience rather<br />
than your catch of the day, you will have a successful<br />
fishing trip.<br />
Here are our top 7 tips:<br />
1. Before handing them a reel, show them how to<br />
tie fun fishing knots and have them practice with<br />
shoelaces. By doing this you are teaching a useful skill<br />
and allowing some time for you to get everyone’s rods<br />
ready for fishing.<br />
2. Remind them of their casting skills by removing<br />
the bobber and putting a cork on their hooks.<br />
Have them cast in the grass first. This will allow them to<br />
practice their cast and prevent them from breaking the<br />
bobber and hooking the ground or anything else. Step it<br />
up by laying out a hula hoop and have them cast the cork<br />
into the hoop to practice their aim. By having them do<br />
this, you also will be able to identify any issues they are<br />
having with casting and if there are any issues with the<br />
fishing line.<br />
3. After some practice, prepare their line by returning<br />
the bobber and replacing the cork with bait. While<br />
you are doing this, encourage them to handle and pick<br />
out the bait they will be using. The different baits will<br />
spark a conversation and some interest in what different<br />
types of fish eat. If they really found their passion through<br />
fishing, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR)<br />
has a First Fish certification program and Master Angler<br />
program where you are able to submit photos and<br />
information about your fishing experience online. Positive
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