Just wanted to share this:-

A cpl of yrs ago I took my 2 lads fishing like any dad would, (they were 7 & 8 yrs).

They both experienced catching on fly more than once, the youngest even catching a wild brownie out of the river at Dent on his first cast, with Snipe n Purple doing the biz. All's well you’d think but not so. They soon got “bored” of more than ½ hr to 2 hrs of fishing and I guess you’d have to acknowledge that’s kids attention span at that age.

So I left them alone apart from an occasional invite to test the water.

Then on Saturday last, my eldest (now nearly 11 yr old) comes up and says “Dad, can I tie a fly please?” - In a flash I’ve given him my old vice, a blingy fly box (I got from Sofie with my last rod off the forum), scissors, bobbin holder etc.

We started with a Snipe and Purple sz14.

By Sunday he’d also rattled off:
Partridge & Orange
Black & Peacock Spider
Stewarts Black Spider
Black Pennell
…plus he now wants to do some lures and go fishing with them “soon”.

I guess the lesson is to guide them but not push too hard until they are ready.

All I can say is – result !!.

__________________