[Ricardo]

A few nights ago my 6 year old son caught his first wild trout on a self tied fly. It has been quite a journey that started almost 3 years ago, first at trout farms to get him hooked on the tug, then in our backyard teaching him how to cast, and finally bringing him to creeks and small rivers (with and without a rod) for him to get used to the moving water. All those activities plus a a few visits to local lakes with a kid spinning rod every now and then. Tying (more like playing with hooks, feathers and thread) started like a year ago, I taught him how to tie a WB and all he creates are crazy variations of it.

He started "casting" 2 years ago with an Echo practice rod and a piece of a 7 weight line I taped on, and then I got him a super lightweight, short and cheap tenkara rod with a thin leveled line. It was quite clear to me that he did not have the strength to manipulate a fly rod for more than 5 minutes, not even a small 2 weight, so the small tenkara has been the perfect tool for him. He has problems to stay focused on a small dry fly drifting on the water, and nymphing is even more challenging for him, but he loves swinging flies, so that's all he does. And that is also very suitable for the monster flies he ties. He was fishing a size 8 hook with all sort of chenille colors you can imagine and some partridge and turkey feathers as a collar. I had to do some quick hair dresser job on it to clear the gap a bit because it looked like a little rainbow rugby ball with feathers. I don't know who was more surprised and excited when the rod went bent, he or myself .

I took a quick picture, released the fish and I then wanted to keep the fly as a memory, but he said he wanted to keep on fishing with it and ended up losing it in a sunken log. Oh well... After that I convinced him to try some of my soft hackles and he caught 4 more fish on them, although he told me he likes his flies better than mine. Of course.

It is a lot of fun to see him do his little cast down and across, follow thought, and pick up the phone when the tip goes tap-tap. Eventually he gets bored and starts flipping rocks or climbing trees, but hey, it is a great start. I really hope it sticks with him.

 

[4357]

I've got a hunch it will.

Good job Dad!!

 

[C&CRods]

Damn, wicked cool kid. Young kids really pick up fly tying when taught early. Just the same as they learn new languages easily also. Google "Julian Flulaga salmon flies". He's what happens when they start young. Only 12 and invited to the International Salmon Fly convention. Have a blast with him dad!

 

[erniemx5]

That is so freakin awesome. Great job dad.


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[Mems]

Something for both of you to be proud of, Mems

 

[Alosa]

Nice work, dad!!! I'm the same predicament - trying to keep a five year old focused is not easy, but stocked ponds are a recipe for success.

 

[Ricardo]

Damn, wicked cool kid. Young kids really pick up fly tying when taught early. Just the same as they learn new languages easily also. Google "Julian Flulaga salmon flies". He's what happens when they start young. Only 12 and invited to the International Salmon Fly convention. Have a blast with him dad!

Wow, amazing what this kid can do. Here you have the link I found if you want to know more: http://www.asfi-expo.com/tyer-furlaga.php

 

[Ricardo]

Thanks everyone for the nice words. Like my father always says (excuse poor translation): "we are so worried about providing our sons and daughters with what we did not have as kids, that we tend to forget to teach and give them the good things we actually did have"

 

[meh.meh.meh.meh.meh.]

That is very cool and no doubt a proud moment for both of you. What tenkara rod are you using. My 3yr old wants to go fishing but I think a traditional fly rod would be a little much for her.

 

[Ricardo]

That is very cool and no doubt a proud moment for both of you. What tenkara rod are you using. My 3yr old wants to go fishing but I think a traditional fly rod would be a little much for her.

look for uxcell telescopic in amazon, there are many of them. I got the 2.15m because a friend of mine told me that the 1.7m is way too stiff, and the 2.5m starts being a bit heavier for a 6 year old. Don't expect quality finish or nice casting feeling, but they are sturdy and the tip will not easily break, which is the way most tenkara rods end up breaking. And even if they do they are cheap enough. They are awesome for small kids, 10 inch fish will put a bend to it, they learn the casting fundamentals and how to hook and fight fish. The rest will come later. For the line I am using a 4 fluorocarbon level line that is 3/4 the length of the rod, and then a 3 feet tippet. My sons feels comfortable "casting" that configuration. The reach is limited, of course, but it works.