Interesting discussion bout bait and kids and rivers

bessiedog · #1 06-14-2009, 09:46 AM

So I'm with my boy on the Crow (got skunked, found some serious morels... one as bog as a beer can... I didn't think they could get that big)... we run into this fellow who's caught a few and he's watching my boy throw a five of diamonds around (sometimes they'll get suicidal and smack it)..... he says 'if it were his kid, he'd forget the regs and let the boy use bait as its much more rewarding for the kids and he'd teach them catch and release anyways.....

My boy is four... he likes the rivers, and he really wants to catch a 'river fish'.... I'm not sure what to think.

Any thoughts on bait bans and kids??

We're gonna hit the prairies today and smash a bunch of pike!

Some day he'll get his rirver fish.

He also want to flyfish... my rig seems a bit too big (9ft 6wt). Anybody got some ideas for him??

He's turning out to be a pretty neat kid. He's learned to do a not bad roll cast already.

bd

Mantracker · #2 06-14-2009, 09:54 AM

No when its a bait ban thats no bait for anyone I lived in the Crowsnest and know that river very well .take you young boy and set him up with the 9ft rod use a dry line and the royal coachman fly fish the river around the gas plant some good deep holes let the fly do the work stand up river and peel off the line ,you will get some rainbows

thorne · #3 06-14-2009, 10:08 AM

No bait means just that...if he wanted a popsicle and you had no money would you steal it for him...I`m not being rude, but learnig the right way at the start makes breaking the rules harded later in life. We all love to watch the face on our kids when they hook fish, it makes it much better for both when it happens without cheating and breaking the law. On the fly rig, get him in to a good shop and let hem measure him up, then get him on the river and get started it`s an art form they will treasure for ever and love you for teaching them! Enjoy!

kwirky · #4 06-14-2009, 10:19 AM

one reason for bait bans is to prevent fish from eating other fish.

When I was a kid though I spent more time playing with bait than fishing

smitty9 · #5 06-14-2009, 10:48 AM

That guy you ran into is seriously messed up. Lets summarize his advice:
1) He'd teach your boy to ignore the rules,
2) He'd teach your boy to C&R fish caught using bait (which has much higher mortality).

I would of told the guy to read the regs and quit advocating a philosophy of taking the easy way out in life. Sometimes in can feel like a pain in the rear end to follow the rules. So what. I'd tell him to get over it.

Seen lots of dads teach their kids to flyfish with 2 easy methods. (1) For lakes, troll a leech or some other popular, productive pattern. It helps them just handle the rod and reel (does nothing for learning how to cast). (2) For a kid who's 4, rig an Adjust-A-Bubble and fly setup and take them to a small creek. The Crow could be a tough place for a 4 year old to fish.

Smitty

SNAGGLEPUSS · #6 06-14-2009, 12:53 PM

Agreed, no bait means no bait. It may be a good idea when fishing with a 4 year old is to have only one fishing rod, his.

bloom · #7 06-14-2009, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bessiedog

..... he says 'if it were his kid, he'd forget the regs and let the boy use bait as its much more rewarding for the kids and he'd teach them catch and release anyways.....

Sadly he's promoting/condoning poaching and breaking the rules...he likely taught his kids that and is now trying to teach other kids that. Sometimes it shows why there are so many poachers out there, or people who just disrespect the resource.

He could have said...come back when the oldman and livingstone open up, throw a stimulator or any other big dry fly on the rod, and the kid will have a hay day.

deanmc · #8 06-14-2009, 04:23 PM

I think this goes beyond bait. It is about teaching your boy that following rules is important (or not).

He will learn far more from what you do than from what you say.

BBJTKLE&FISHINGADVENTURES · #9 06-14-2009, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deanmc

I think this goes beyond bait. It is about teaching your boy that following rules is important (or not).

He will learn far more from what you do than from what you say.

I agree with Deanmc But you also need to know the laws .

I think its pretty self explanatory . " BAIT BAN " How hard is it to understand that means everyone . Not a kid not an senior No one . As for that fella saying let the kid do it , well the fish and wildlife officer wouldn't care as hes writing you up a ticket and taking your fishing gear . The main thing is know your regulations , have one inside the tackle box with you or in the truck or boat . That way if your hesitant just look it up .

EarlyBird · #10 06-15-2009, 09:12 AM

The rules are made for EVERYONE to abide by.

kwirky · #11 06-15-2009, 12:50 PM

since we're on the subject of parental influence while fishing, it was real surprising how many boats were flying across ghost lake this weekend with loads of kids not wearing lifejackets. One boat we counted 7 kids and only half had life jackets. One even had kids lieing on the back of the boat without lifejackets while it was flying. Unbelievable.

BBJTKLE&FISHINGADVENTURES · #12 06-15-2009, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwirky

since we're on the subject of parental influence while fishing, it was real surprising how many boats were flying across ghost lake this weekend with loads of kids not wearing lifejackets. One boat we counted 7 kids and only half had life jackets. One even had kids lieing on the back of the boat without lifejackets while it was flying. Unbelievable.

Did you tell them they were idiots? I sure as hell would of. people want sympathy when bad things happen ,well if there not following the proper steps in protecting them selves I have no sympathy for idiots . That might make me a Cold hearted SOB but its the truth why feel bad for someone who is taking life into there own hands .

tbosch · #13 06-15-2009, 01:20 PM

I agree that no bait means no bait. Also touching on the fly fishing thing....If your son can roll cast already sounds like he's on his way to learning how to fly fish. I'm sure with some practice a 9ft 6wt will be fine for him. If not why not get him a nice 7ft 4wt to learn with. That should have lots of backbone to handle the "river fish" that you're going to be fishing.

My father was never a fly guy so I had to be self taught but I really wish I had started at a younger age. Your little guy will probably be one hell of a fly fisherman if he starts at that age.