Took my six year old to a small fishery today and thought I'd give him a go at worm fishing. On arrival we were told that the worm fishers were struggling and that we'd have to buy their worms because they were fed up of people cheating with additives added to worms. Cheapest ticket was £16. They also said they closed at 4 'o' clock. It was already nearly 2pm. In all honesty I wouldn't have bothered but my boy was desperate to have a go with the rod I'd bought him for christmas and we were, after all, already there.

Had a go both with the worm using a bubble float and a worm ledgered on the bottom. Zilch interest. He was getting bored and as he knew I also had taken a fly rod was desperate to have a go "the way dad fishes". We set up and had a go with a couple of flies but again no interest. Went back to the lodge to seek advice which was to switch to an intermediate from the floater and have a go with a damsel, or a bead head such as the yellow dancer in my box and go up the far end of the lake. We duly did as instructed and on the second cast hooked into a fish. Fair play the scrap was good and I couldn't bear to think it might come off. I tried to talk him through the play and assist when needed without taking over so he could enjoy the fight. When I slid the net under it, he gave the biggest cheer and was absolutely chuffed to bits. I am hoping he is now hooked but am a bit nervous that he might now outfish me.



I'm chuffed that he managed to catch his first and maybe his interest will be sparked, but for now I'm just glad he has enjoyed himself.

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Location - Ospreylia

Brilliant
With a smile like that he is "hooked" for life

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It is in truth not glory,nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting,but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with his life.(Declaration of Arbroath, 1320)

I take it he has asked to go again?
He look more than pleased, well done.

As soon as he got home he asked to go again and when going to bed I asked whether his football in the morning or fishing in the afternoon was his favourite today and he said "catching the fish". The little girl is asking to go now so I'm just realising that this could cost me a fortune.

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Location - Ospreylia

One proud Son and one proud Dad aswell.

Thats what fishing is all about.Well done to the wee man.

Great to see.

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Kevin

Thanks Kevin, Had a couple of your flies in our box but we ran out of time before trying them. I am a proud dad. He's had a tough year for a young one having had a not overly succesful op for a very thick cataract and one to go yet. Having said that, I count my blessings, as there are kids out there who have far worse conditions with less optimistic outlooks.

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Location - Ospreylia

Hooked for life, I'd say. And of course he will grow up to outfish you. That's what children are for, to teach us a little humility - if the trout haven't done that already.

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"Take not out your 'ounds on a werry windy day" Surtees.

What a smile! Says it all really doesn't it? Looks like you have a new fishing buddy now.

Fantastic and what a way to start fly fishing eh?

Best Regards

Stuart

He's obviously got more idea than my 4 year old grandson whose favourite fishing phrase at present is 'Catch another Grandad, I like pingin' 'em off!'

That's one happy wee man.

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Eddie
"We look to Scotland for all our ideas of civilisation."
Voltaire