Reaching Out While Giving Back

RCF

RCF

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Monday I watched a young family going out fishing on a local lake. A father and 3 young sons (grade school and younger)... They were trolling for trout. He was definitely an experienced troller. All the kids wore a PFD. The places where they fished, the speed of trolling showed he knew what he was doing. Stroke, stroke, pause while rowing showed his experience. Yet few, actually very few, bumps much less any strikes. It caught my attention.

I saw him again on Tuesday. The kids were excited to go out fishing too. I watched him for awhile and they were not catching much at all. Bummer! I saw them come back in and went to greet him and introduce myself... "Can we talk for a moment?' I asked. He looked worried but came over never the less. I complimented him on the use of PFDs. He relaxed a bit and I let him know I was there to help. I had seen previously that he was a fly guy and asked 'what are you using'? I suggested he change over to a medium or dark olive size 12 Carey Special and fish it deeper.

Today, Wednesday, he was out there again with his kids. He started catching fish. He let his kids use his fly rod and they caught fish too. Proud Papa! When they finished fishing he came and knocked on my door. He was beaming ear to ear. All he said was 'Thank you!' I did suggest he could let the kids use their spinning rods/reels and still fish flies; very much how I found out that flies work on Fish Lake...

I am sure many more memories will be made as they catch more fish with their dad...
 
I think we can all forget just how much there is to know about this silly hobby and how a tiny bit of advice can make a huge amount of difference.

And the number one most important thing if you want to get kids into fishing is feeling that tug on the end of their line. Anyone trying to do it with a fly rod deserves a medal. I usually start kids with spinning rods just because it's a lot easier.
 
Very well done, RCF! It's not always easy to reach out and give advice, even when it's helpful. I think you gave a couple of valuable lessons to that man and his sons; one, about fishing, and even more importantly, about reaching out to help others.
I also gotta say, reading your little story was also helpful to me. This is the first page I opened on the internet this morning, and it perked me up when I needed it. Thank you!
 
Otter said:
Very well done, RCF! It's not always easy to reach out and give advice, even when it's helpful. I think you gave a couple of valuable lessons to that man and his sons; one, about fishing, and even more importantly, about reaching out to help others.
I also gotta say, reading your little story was also helpful to me. This is the first page I opened on the internet this morning, and it perked me up when I needed it. Thank you!
Click to expand...
TYVM!

Many of us old farts have a lot of experience and knowledge. We also grew up knowing we would not share that information and knowledge e.g. our secret spots, our secret fly, etc. But there is a difference between generalized knowledge and our secret info. @Smalma is so right. It is the kids that are going to carry forward and support our fisheries into the future. @Josh is right on about the tug is the drug. So we should do our part by sharing generalized information when we can/should. Sharing flies, techniques, approaches makes everyone better. And to be able to do that and support that family bonding, which IMHO is not as strong nowadays as when I was growing up, is even more important.

In the past 10 years or so I looked for opportunities to share. Sharing my supplies (free) for young tyers, providing my boat and gear so a grandfather and grandson could further their bond, taking people less fortunate or with special health challenges out to catch fish, providing insight into how to catch fish, etc. I have been sorta successful and will continue to try.

I hope others will do the same....

It is the giving that is the most important and the impact on those we give to because they are the ones that carry the torch forward...
 
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Otter said:
Very well done, RCF! It's not always easy to reach out and give advice, even when it's helpful. I think you gave a couple of valuable lessons to that man and his sons; one, about fishing, and even more importantly, about reaching out to help others.
I also gotta say, reading your little story was also helpful to me. This is the first page I opened on the internet this morning, and it perked me up when I needed it. Thank you!
Click to expand...
It certainly made my day reading his post . Well done RFC .
 
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There has been a lot of turnover of ownership of homes in the last year or so. Nice to see! We need to see younger families enjoy a lake and learning as well supporting the future of our environment.

I have watched a guy out fishing the last few days. So i decided to introduce myself. Met a nice, young, and respectful gentleman tonight. Breath of fresh air for sure. He was fishing from a shared dock and catching some nice warm water species. Truly enjoyed doing so too.

He indicated he wanted to learn more about fly fishing. I said why not use your spinning gear and troll a fly. He has a Yak. You can do that? Of course I said! New techniques and doorways opened. Shared more info and he tried to absorb it in. I also hope the local Issaquah fly shop has a good inventory of Carey Specials. They are going to need it. LOL! Support your small business 😀 .

Such a joy to help nice, young people and share my knowledge and experiences. I will do it more. As @Smalma said earlier, need to get younger people involved for the future. So true!.

I am in a happy place for sure. Nothing better than that for sure!
 
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