Came across this photo. Don’t know them. But, thought it so typifies the beginning stages of introducing people, particularly kids to the sport. It is a time of transitions. Gear, technique, observing, mentoring, patience….lots of patience. It is a time, if you are the mentor, to set aside your needs and totally investing in someone else. Either it takes or it doesn’t. It may take years to see if it did.
Neither I nor Creek would be anywhere near the water nor fish at the levels we do without mentors like our fathers and uncles. Tony owes the great fishing life he enjoys to his faithful and patient, and yes generous dad. Congrats to Creek on her beautiful Steelhead Sunday!
JB
Until they start catching more fish than you. Then its time to start pulling the hackle off their dries so they don’t get to cocky.
Yes! Alex,
Given how many rods, reels, lines, everything one buys for ‘them’, you think they would show more gratitude!
Gary
But if you mentor and they get it- no better satisfaction than seeing their faces light up! Well some better or equal satisfaction when you catch a fish, but teaching those who want to learn is fascinating