Fairly self explanatory question!

My boy is 3 next month and always wants a go with my rod when I'm casting in the drive or fishing. He doesn't do too badly and is always telling me to get my hands off the rod while he does it! He is clearly a bit young yet to co-ordinate the cast properly (but he learns quicker than I can believe) so I'm wondering when to start him.

The major factor will be safety around water. He won't be going fishing until he can swim, which isn't yet but he'll be learning over the next year.

I just can't wait to get him involved in my love of fishing (but only as long as he remains interested - I won't force the issue) and would appreciate others' experiences.

hi bumps,

you hit the nail on the head in your last sentence(only as long as he remains interested)
i started my lad at a similar age maybe a year older,i started him bait fishing little pole pint of maggots and a fish friendly pond,
what you got to remember is kids like to move around and throw things and mess in mud
so the maggots are his missiles and the float is his target,the fish are his prize
short sessions 1/2 hr to an 1hr is well long enough for both you and him (trust me)
my lads 13 now and a mighty fine commercial carp angler,
i havent took him on the fly yet as i am learning myself but hopefully will get him out in the summer holidays

fime

hello,

my 6 year old has come with me fishing off rocky outcrops on the coast where we live..

NW Scotland overlooking Skye....

She is not too competent on the casting, but loves to follow the float and watch for activity, plus the reeling in is her fun part whether a fish is on the end or not...

Not sure she would be too keen on fly casting especially right now when the midges feel like they are stripping the flesh from you.

Steve

My daughter is 2 yrs 8 months and loves messing with rods in the garage, as far as fishing goes she has a toy rod and magnetic fish for the bath which she loves trying to catch. Yesterday I took half day off work and we went up to Cogra Moss for an hour ( keep it short so she doesnt get bored ) anyway we got 2 fish on the dry fly, watching the dryfly kept her interested and I let her hold the rod while I controlled the line bringing the fish in. I couldn't bring myself to let her see her daddy become a murderer so we let the fish swim off and she happily waved them goodbye, after that every rise was her fish and waving to them kept her occupied for the rest of the hour.

I will wait untill she is at least 4 yrs before attempting to learn her how to cast but I think we'll have a few more of the one hour trips over the summer.