As a fly fishing instructor I am often asked, "What is a good age to start children fly fishing?" Well, the answer, as with all things concerning children, varies with each individual child. There are however some general guidelines that I could suggest. First of all, is the child interested? Ask! Watch and observe before suggesting. Motor skills are only part of the equation. Assuming now that the child is ready, let's find a skill level at which they can succeed. If a child is younger that 10, they can still learn how to do a basic cast that would allow them to fish on a pond with a fly line. Fishing in a stream where many more complexities begin to unfold, should probably wait until age 10. The one factor that changes the rules is individual coordination and motivation.

On occasion I have worked with young children who were so excited about going fishing that they provided the extra effort required to master the nuances of fly fishing, at least on fairly easy streams. It is always best to start beginners on a pond, especially children. Among the many reasons are: safety, ease of casting, and lack of obstructions. A cast that lands a fly anywhere on a pond is probably a good cast. This is certainly not true on a stream where fish only hold in certain lies, and the fly needs to go to those exact spots. Finally, there is usually room around a pond for a back cast that will not get into the trees and cause frustration.

Keep in mind that teaching casting and teaching fishing are not the same. It is far better to teach casting on the lawn or pond rather than going straight to a stream. The casting stroke should be well established in the motor memory before compounding the problem of moving water and rising fish, which can make even an accomplished caster form wind knots and tangles from shear excitement and anticipation.

Some suggestions for getting started: Take lessons. Fly fishing, like skiing and golf, are very time consuming and frustrating to learn by trial and error. Ask me! I tried that personally, and finally broke down and took a lesson. It was like someone turned on a flood light. Find success immediately. Children need to see that what they're doing gets results. (Don't we all?) Pond fishing usually produces some instant action. If the child has progressed to a stream, make it a brook trout stream where the fish are eager and the environment enchanting. Teach them from the beginning that there is more to fishing than catching fish. Enjoying the outdoors, seeing the wildlife and flowers, time alone in wild places; these are things that keep us enchanted. Try to keep any form of competition out of the conversation. How many? How big? These concepts will creep in without being taught. Make sure YOU teach the life skills that could get overlooked. And above all, make it FUN!