Help with a nine year old.

[Cutter]

Ok so my nine year old daughter does not to like fish, I think she might be mental. But I thought if I could combine something she likes, making money, with something I like, that this could be a winning combination. Is there a safe place from shore to fish for pikeminnows and shad at the same time. She gets to make a little dough and there enough action to keep her interested Plus we get to spend some good quality time together. Any help would be appreciated.

[Phil Layer]

My 10 year old son loves to fish but my 13 year old daughter hates everything about it. I've tried everything to convert her to no avail.

The only thing that gets her out on the boat is if I let her bring a friend. And, if the friend likes to fish, it seems to perk her interest some.

Even if she complains about it, rest assured that these times out with Dad will be something she will never forget.

Good luck.

[TH]

I guess my question is do they not like fishing or going fishing?
I am lucky both of my kids like going fishing... and I think there is a difference.

I like my kids to be present! I don't care if they actually fish. I have a little dome tent in my Predator, they color, sleep, eat, sing, play video games what ever... but it's fun and they are with me. They stay warm, and like to go. But they don't always care to actually fish.. not knowing they are :grin: (Just a side note, once we have a take down my kids all want a piece of the action) :smile: And I make sure they get some...

Off the bank, or in a drift boat is tough... the worst thing you can do is to make long drifts (especially in bad weather) I learned the hard way! Keep things short and simple! If the trips turns sour, bag it... Don't focus on catching fish but spending time with the kids.
The catching will come...
I also find effective ways for the kids to fish if they want.. trolling in the bay is easy, but they love pulling plugs.. let them pick the plug :smile: My 4 year old daughter loved the pink ones :grin: and the diver and pink worm anything pink.. my son usually asks which one he used last time... :grin:

Have fun.. keep it simple, fishing with kids should focus on the time spent with the kids not the catching!
Am I rambling? Sorry
I love fishnig with my kids.
This pic was taken last Spet. on the Coquille, my son and two neices my 3 year old daughter atthe time is sleeping n the chair at the bottom of the pic. 3 hour short trip, 4 fish to the boat. The
http://www.ifish.net/uploads/461707128.jpg

[ 05-09-2002, 07:19 AM: Message edited by: TH ]

[NEUTRON]

Travis, Great post. Thanks.

[fishbait]

Cutter,

My 0.02 worth. Kids get bored easily, keep that in mind. I make shorter trips when with my kids, unless they want to stay out. Catching is important to them at that age. Also, although we don't usually keep junk food in the house, I sometimes will buy some special snacks for them when we go fishing, helps keep them from getting board....... I figure 2 hours of fun for them with Dad is more important than staying out and catching more fish.... Let them in on the decision process...... I also let them run the boat a little, row in the flat water or run the big motor....... Hope this helps....

[Tinned Fish]

Grab a gameboy advance and a few cartidges. Ask a couple kids in the store what games are hot for girls/boys. Then epoxy an eyebolt to it, and cable the game to the butt end of her fishing pole. She'll be fishing....

Or if she's not the game type, do the same gig with a instant messaging pager...

TinnedFish

[FM2]

Cutter,

Check your email.

[Gus Orviston]

take your kids bluegill fishing, or take them to a trout pond if you want them to get hooked. :smile: Letting them see a bobber going down is the visual feedback. don't take them salmon fishing and expect them to get excited ? just my 2 cents.
:wink:
dc

[Keta]

Take her where there will be LOTS OF FISH! :smile:
Size does not matter. Stocker trout, kokanee, crapie, bluegill, anything where she won't get bored, cold, or frightened. Try to make it a short day with nice weather too. :cool:

My oldest Daughter is 18 now and will not fish in Oregon. She was spoiled by being raised in Alaska and doesn't want to fish unless "She can wade in fish!" :whazzup: :grin:

The other daughter (almost 14) would rather clean fish than fish :whazzup: and will make some one a good wife :grin: !!

My son (11) is sick in the head and would rather have "perfict atendance" at school than go fishing. He does go as much as he can during the summer and enjoys "putting the skunk" on me and my fishing partners whenever he can. :grin: So far he has caught more large browns than I have, two over 8 lbs.

Good luck with your daughter. :smile:

[ 05-09-2002, 12:03 PM: Message edited by: Keta ]

[Cutter]

Thanks for the advice everyone, FM2 I'll be giving you a call.

I have taken my 9 year old trout fish quite a bit, it's hit or miss for the most part. Smelt dipping she loved. Had to keep pulling her back on shore. I just wanted something other than trout for her. I take my 2 year old trout fishing and she knocks em dead, even though she not to hot about the catching part :whazzup: . She loves to fish, I have a picture of her sitting in her chair holding her pole with a NUK in her mouth. Any way's the older one is a little sick of the trout her little sister keeps bringing home :sick: . Maybe I'll give the bluegill a try.

Thanks for the advice everyone. Maybe I will see if any of her friends want to go also.

[Get Bent]

I'm not sure whether you have a boat or not but if you do I would try and get her out on the Willamette in June for the shad fishery. The weather will be nice and the action can be outright crazy sometimes. Of course, you can always run a springer rod for yourself but as far as getting someone hooked shad can be the way to go.

Of course, she may just end up like the other crazy ones and not like fishing not matter what. If this is how it ends up then just love her for who she is. They can't all be perfect.

[Tinned Fish]

Have you done any bank walking adventures with her? I'm not sure how much she like the out-of-doors, but scambling along the bank on the upper Sandy (from marmot dam down) is like an adventure you'd see in the movies. I'm sure there are other fun rivers in the area as well.

The fishing probably wouldn't be the primary goal, more of a safari with periodic fishing breaks in the prettier pools. If you go during a spawn, you'll see tons of slamon kicking through the redds, but they're not worthy of bringing to the table. But it might bring the hunt out in her, to see all that wildlife that hides just under the surface.

Make sure you've got good strong anti-blackberry pants and long sleeves, and a backpack full of juice and snacks.

TinnedFish

[Tinned Fish]

One idea always knocks another one loose...

Crawfish hunting in the late summer (august) is crazy fun. They're molting, so they're bright orange in the water and easy to spot. If it's hot enough, just find a pool and splash around. Usually I like to bait for 'em a bit. Tie some meat (liver or chicken) on a piece of string. Lower it into a deeper hole, then pull it up slowly 5 minutes later and have a net ready.

Once you find a hive you'll quickly fill a cooler. Just make sure you release what you won't eat.

The best river I've ever 'dadded is the alsea worked back from the coast. You'll run into other families during the molt, they'll tell you the fun holes to hit.

TinnedFish