Am I losing the plot or is it just because of the game fishing up here but when I started fishing it was with a group of mates, a cheap rod and reel and away we went to the local gravel pit to catch roach. No instruction except from my slightly older mate.
The "fun" of fishing was the freedom and the learning side of things. We did out own thing, we read books, we watched other anglers and above all else, we enjoyed it.
Over the years we got better, we saved out pocket money and bought better gear and we got on our push bikes and travelled further afield, fishing for other fish like Tench, Bream and Perch. Every pond you went to there were groups of youngsters fishing...you just don't see that up here
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Even though I was self taught, I was fishing for the England youth team at 14 and started fly fishing around the same time. Again, no instruction, yet the first time out I had my limit. We just read books, watched and tried things.
Having got a 14 year old and a 6 year old I realise that they don't like to be shown things. They would rather get a brief.."right, heres the rod, this is the bait, here is how you cast"...and then be left to there own devises (watched by myself with the odd helpful "good cast" or "well done") and catch a few fish...and THEN ask "how do i get a bigger fish, how do i cast further, how can i cast a fly"? etc......and thats comming from someone who has been a bike instructor and lecturer for a number of years and is used to "teaching" people..lol
Dont get me wrong..casting instructions etc are important...but for an 8 year old, i just think you need to "hook" him first with the "fun" aspect and THEN when he shows more interest, get him to Paul. He is more likely to stick at it if he manages to get a fish or two under his belt before having to be "taught".
Just my humble opinion
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