- WHY TEACH KIDS HOW TO FISH?
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ENSURE THE SURVIVAL OF THIS
SPORT
- SAVE THE PLANET
- NATURE
DEFICIT DISORDER
- FISHING IS FUN,
NOT BORING
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SPEND TIME
WITH FAMILY & FRIENDS
- FISHING IS A
LIFELONG HOBBY
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AN
ALTERNATIVE TO TOURNAMENTS
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-
-
ENSURE THE SURVIVAL OF THIS
SPORT
- When I was a kids we wanted to be outdoors.
But today you basically have to push your kids outside. The fundamentals
of the American childhood have changed in a single generation. Gone are
the days of fishing with your buddies, pickup baseball games, tree houses, and
"be home for dinner". According to a survey by the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, today, childhood is spent mostly indoors, watching
television, playing video games, and working on the internet. When
children go outside, it tends for be for scheduled events - soccer, baseball,
or football - held under the watch of adults. In a typical week, 27% of
kids 9-13 play organized baseball, but only 6% play on their own.
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- Fishing is one of Americas most venerable
pastimes, passed from father to son and grandfather to grandson. But
fishing is losing its appeal to American kids. The number of people
boating and fishing dwindles with every passing year. Few young people
enter our sport. Fishing has dropped in popularity behind bowling and
working out at the gym. I suppose you can blame the 70 hour workweek and
two income households. Or you can blame the after school activities or
the computers and electronics. There is a tremendous competition for
your time.
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- According to the Florida Foundation for
Responsible Anglers (Fish Florida): "Surveys show that children who have
a positive fishing experience prior to becoming teenagers are likely to become
lifelong anglers. That's one of many great reasons why its important to
teach kids how to fish.
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-
 SAVE
THE PLANET
- Fishing has dropped in popularity over the
years, but its the long term effects that could be devastating. A drop
in fishing license revenue means less funding for state and federal research
and habitat restoration. Without these funds the state would have a
difficult time ensuring safe and sustainable fishing opportunities for all of
our residents and visitors. And teaching kids to fish actually helps to
save the planet. You see, in order to be a successful fisherman you must
develop an in-depth understanding of the aquatic habitat. This leads to
a feeling of ownership of the resource and a concern for its future.
That's what we refer to as environmental stewardship. Kidsfishing.org
has a whole page devoted to this topic. Click here:
www.kidsfishing.org/gogreen.html
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NATURE DEFICIT DISORDER
- Studies have clearly demonstrated that
children who spend time outdoors perform better academically, play more
creatively, have less stress, and are more imaginative. In addition,
they experience fewer symptoms of ADHD, have healthier immune systems and
develop a greater respect for themselves, others and nature than their peers
who do not recreate outside. The term “nature-deficit disorder” was
coined by author Richard Louv in his book “Last Child in the Woods” to
describe what happens to young people who become disconnected from their
natural world. Louv links this lack of nature to some of the most disturbing
childhood trends, such as the rises in obesity, attention disorders, and
depression. Kidsfishing.org has a whole page devoted to this topic.
Click here:
www.kidsfishing.org/naturedeficitdisorder.html
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-
 FISHING IS FUN, NOT BORING
- When fishing with your kids you want to make sure they are having fun.
Often, parents decide Too often parents decide to target the larger species of
fish such as bass. Although it will be very exciting for a kid to catch
a huge largemouth bass they are not always biting. Kids don't really
care what species of fish you are catching or how big they are.
Therefore when you are fishing with your kids its best to fish for whatever is
biting. Even offering them a dip net to catch minnows can be exciting.
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-
SPEND TIME WITH FAMILY &
FRIENDS
- Fishing is a great way to spend time with
family and friends. Some of my fondest memories of my childhood include
fishing with my father, my grandfather, my family and friends.
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FISHING IS A LIFELONG HOBBY
- An old Chinese proverb reads "Give a man a
fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, feed him for a
lifetime." Fishing is one of very few activities that you can enjoy
for your entire lifetime. Whether your 4 yrs old or 94 yrs old you
can enjoy fishing. And once you learn the basics of fishing, you can
go anywhere in the world, in freshwater or saltwater, and catch a fish.
THE KIDS
FISHING CLUB AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO TOURNAMENTS
Having participated in more than 20 kids fishing
tournaments I can honestly say that they aren't for everybody.
Regardless of what the tournament directors advertise, these events include little
or no
education. There are many skills you need to have before attending these
competitive events. Unfortunately, kids that don't already have these
skills feel discouraged to compete or later become disenfranchised with the
sport that they have no chance of winning.
The Kidsfishing.org "Kids Fishing Club" will
teach kids how to fish, starting with the basics.
Every event will feature a different type of bait, lure, or fishing technique.
Kids of all levels of ability are invited to participate. Kids new to
fishing will learn basic skills like how to cast along side more experiences
fisherman who may be learning now to throw a new kind of lure. Please
review our curriculum page for more information.
Additionally, our Kids Fishing Club will be non-competitive. Something lacking in
most kids fishing tournaments is humanity. Kids show up to win, not to
make friends. And their parents are often worse. People don't help
each other out at these events. Favorite baits and fishing spots are kept
secrete. Fishing tackle and bait isn't shared. And unfortunately, many
will stop at nothing to win.
There's certainly a place for competition.
I have participated in many of these events and plan to continue, but do so
recognizing what these events are all about and having obtained the skills
required to compete.
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