Field Reports from the Mid-Atlantic Region
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Where are all the kids?
At sportsman’s shows, Trout Unlimited meetings, and other fly fishy gatherings within the culture of “fly guys” I’m noticing a definite predominance of grey hair (even a few on my head), and I don’t mean that grey hair that is attached to a fly-tying hook. It would be easy for an outside observer to conclude that fly fishing is a game played by middle-aged or older people. While it hasn’t quite reached the level of lawn-bowling, the simple truth is that there aren’t very many young people fly fishing these days.
It’s pretty easy to figure out why. First, a greater portion of our population lives in cities than previously, and field sports are not part of urban culture. Some of the latter can be blamed on political correctness and spillover onto fishing from the anti-hunting movement and PETA. Second, there is more and stiffer competition for young people’s time. For awhile this came mainly from TV’s and shopping malls but now a great part of life is delivered electronically. Computers, cell phones, the interwebby, Blackberries, MP3’s, and YouTube have changed culture more than we realize. Some people see these gizmos as useful tools (which they are; I’m writing this on my office computer and will post it on this website electronically), but a lot of people, view them as major sources of entertainment. I think these inventions are the biggest reasons why young people rarely get sun tans these days – at least not from the old fashioned source. They seem to live most of their lives indoors.
When was the last time you saw kids – or better, parents and kids – playing catch on a boulevard or in a park?
So, not many young people are taking up fly-fishing. What’s the big deal? Why should we care? Things change; life, culture, and society’s fascinations ebb and flow. I’m pretty sure there’s enough fly fishing left to last until I’ve made my final cast, so if it fades into obscurity after I’m gone why should that trouble me? A positive spin-doctor might even suggest that after the baby boomers have flown the coup the few fly fishers who remain will have it pretty good. After all, the streams, lakes, and rivers shouldn’t be crowded. Of course, this might be true – for awhile. But with few people fishing, I’m afraid there will be no one left to preserve both the fish and the tradition of fishing.
I don’t have grandkids yet, but probably will someday, and there’s something in the prospect of that which makes me hope they’ll hunt and fish. And it’s not just because I want to be the one to take them in the field (although I do), but more because I want to see the passion span the generations. There are many things I’d like to leave my kids and grandkids, but reverence for the outdoors and traditions of hunting and fishing are near the top of the list.
My eldest son’s friend Danny Wilhelm was introduced to fly fishing a few months ago in the fall. Danny had never done any fly-fishing of any kind before, but knew that hanging out with the male Pelachik family members he had little choice about trying to learn. So we dug up a pair of my old waders that were way too big for him and dragged him off to a trout stream. He started with a casting lesson from me, and then Josh took Danny up the creek to try and find him a fish. I went downstream in the other direction about 100 yards but I gave up and headed back to the car when the rain started to pour down. It was cold and still raining hard an hour later when the two kids sloshed across the stream and up the bank with a story. Danny caught two brown trout and Josh pretty much had to drag him off the water to get him to quit fishing. “We were freezing and completely soaked, but I couldn’t get him to stop casting,” Josh said. A couple of weeks later at my house Danny said to Josh, “I don’t get it. Lately, I’ve been dreaming about fishing.”
That’s one more. Maybe there’s hope!
There are less young kids fly fishing because it's harder to do than using a spinning reel or a push button and they catch less fish so it isn't as much fun. It's an obvious fact. Heck that's true with grown ups. I take out a lot of kids fishing on my boat every season and they must catch many fish and they must have fun or they give up and the next time they're asked to go fishing they'd rather play a computer game.
Fishing is a cheap way to get your kids out side. You can get started with a combo from KMart for under $20.00. All it takes is a grown up to take them to the water that knows a little bit about fishing.
Cost is another factor that keeps kids from fly fishing. Unless a
dad, or grandpop has an extra flyrod that they don't care if it gets
beat up a little or if dad is really into it (like Dave) those kids are
not going to even be able to get their hands on a fly rod because
everything that goes along with it is so expensive mostly just because
it has something to do with fly fishing.
The fly fishing fraternity in general (not Dave) is as much to
blame for the lack of kids as much as anything else with the
artificially high cost of equipment and general attitude to keep it a
high class sport.
So Dave, you and your talented son (because he's good and should
be with you in the outdoors anyways) should advertise for free fly
fishing lessons specifically for teenage kids and younger two or three
times in the summer.
Now don't bounce the ball back in my court because I've already donated 7 or 8 trips this year for kids. 
When I lived in Cameron County, I used to help with a Youth Field Day. At the peak of the event, we had 80 kids participate one year. It was extremely cool to see some guys (and ladies) who were very good at their discipline (bow hunting, trap shooting, trapping, fly fishing, etc.) there and trying to get kids involved. The downside......the club pond got stocked the morning of the event, and several of the old bastards who belonged to the club sat around all day like freakin' vultures waiting for the event to be pover so they could clean out the pond with Powerbait. It was the last year I offered to help.
I have done flytying demos for scouts, etc. and there is always some interest. Seems like with the exception of Scouting, a kid doesn't get any "organized" chance to try new things like flytying or flyfishing. I think we have an opportunity to get kids involved, but I agree that sometimes the Nintendo beats brookie fishing.....which sucks! I guess if we are to see our sport live on, we need to think about what level of involvement we need to make it work.
I figure that if I help enough kids out, when I am old and can't see anymore, maybe one of them will take pity on me and give me some flies......or tie them on my leader for me???
JM
TCarr has stepped up to the plate with an ingenious idea. He wants to have a few select kids from the "Juvie" learn flytying. It seems that learning a skill with their hands (that's not boosting cars and shoplifting) is a good idea. I'm on board and willing to donate my time, materials, and tools to help out. Tenative plans for the first lesson would be an introduction to flytying and showing the students how to use a vise, bobbins, winding the thread on a hook, etc. Our first fly would be the green weenie. Subsequent lessons would include a SJW and Wooly Worm/Bugger. I would like to see this catch on... After a few lessons, whomever is still holding interest... we have enterained the idea of taking them and their new flies out to a stream and see if we can't catch a fish and show them flyfishing!
be careful with giving them sharp objects they could shank you...that was a low blow but I could not resist. Let me know if you need assistance, I will see if I can make my way down there. I may have a spare vise and tools.
I think if you came down we could have a few more kids attend... let TCarr know your willing to help.
I have a list of 7 kids. I don't know how many vices we have but if Matt came down we could probably do all 7. We are looking at the last three fridays in April. It will be a few hours each evening. I'm going to try to get a site lined up today so we can have the dates set.
I kno April 16 I will not be available.....I have one spare vise I think..Wait no I think I have 2 if memory serves me right. Ya just post some details and I will let you know what I can do..also let me know on materials....I could probably help out in that area as well.
Okay here goes. I have reserved the Bradford County Libriary on April 16th, 23rd and 30th from 17:30 hrs until 22:00 hrs each day. Dave and I are in this all three days. Dave has 3 vises and I have one. I have a list now of 8 kids. Our plan was to do 4 so, we either need more help or I have to start picking kids to turn away. If you have a vise or two, bobins and hackle pliers.
tying - We will be doing green weenies day 1, wooly worms and sjw's day 2 and wooly buggers day 3. We plan to talk about local organizations, TU and Suskie SM Assoc., Show them how to use the Library for getting more info., very basic entomology, talking about Project Healing Waters and fishing in general. Also on day 3 a casting lesson.
You can talk to Dave about materials. I would seriously like to be able to take all 8 kids if possible. With just Dave and I, probably won't be possible. If interested you can answer here or in a PM.
I talked with Dave again, and it sounds like R. Nieley is offering to help out. I'm sure yet of all of the details, but it may be another vise at least I hope so.
Great idea Lance! Done! I've offered free lessons to kids - Clickety!
-dpiscator
I'll talk to you again towards the end of March. I can put something about your free lessons in my next newspaper article but I don't want to swamp you. Your free fishing time would soon be used up, but then again you may get some long term business out of it from the parents.
I can let you guys borrow my vise, (yes I've had one for years) I tied hair jigs with it but now that I use JJ's jigs exclusively it's not so important that I keep it set up.
Thanks Lance!!! We would need to use the vise for 3 Fridays in April for the tying sessions.
In fact, LD has a classic awesome vise... A Thompson Pro "A". (I have the exact same vise and I still tie on it from time to time.) as well as his bobbin is an excellent top of the line adjustable ceramic tube bobbin (I too have the same exact kind and absolutely love it).
I'll talk to you again towards the end of March. I can put something about your free lessons in my next newspaper article but I don't want to swamp you. Your free fishing time would soon be used up, but then again you may get some long term business out of it from the parents.
-ld
Feel free to pimp my lessons out! I'll make sure when I schedule lessons that I leave some fishing time as well!!
I'm going to type up a letter to give all the students that says something similar to this:
Thank you for attending our flytying session at the Bradford County Library. We are very excited that you wish to participant in this basic flytying class. This flytying program is an community service event sponsored by the Bradford County Probation Department. All flytying materials and tools have been donated for use by the following local businesses: JJ's Jigs of Towanda, PA and L.D. Guide Service of New Albany, PA. Our flytying instructors and guest speakers have a combined total of 60+ years of fishing and flytying and have volunteered their spare time to help with this community outreach program.
The purpose of the flytying sessions is to desseminate the history, knowledge, skills, and artful creativity that comes with fly tying. Along with the hands-on sessions students of this event will also learn about the coldwater and warmwater fisheries of our area and how organizations like the Art Bradford-Northern Tier Chapter #357 of Trout Unlimited and the North Branch Smallmouth Alliance are trying to protect and conserve those fisheries. You attendance today can help these organizations by spreading the word to family and friends on how we need to keep these streams and rivers healthy and clean.
The flies you will learn how to tie will be donated to another very worthy cause: Project Healing Waters (PHW) . PHW program provides basic fly fishing, fly casting, fly tying and rod building classes and clinics for wounded and injured veterans and active duty military personnel ranging from beginners to those with prior fly fishing and tying experience who are adapting their skills to their new abilities. All activities and services are provided to the participants at no cost. Fly fishing and tying equipment and materials are provided to the participants, including equipment that accommodates their special needs. You should feel very proud that your efforts in these flytying classes are helping support our United States Armed Forces.
For more information on the organizations that helped make these classes happen please visit:
JJ's Jigs: www.jjsjigs.com (570)-265-2947
LD Guide Service: www.ldguideservice.com (570)-250-1147
Art Bradford-Northern Tier Chapter #357 of Trout Unlimited: www.patrout.org (570)-928-7820
North Branch Smallmouth Alliance: www.nbsmallmouthalliance.com
Project Healing Waters: www.projecthealingwaters.org
Or something like this? Feel free to make any edits or changes below....
Besides 8 vises (so far I've only come up with 7) we will need 8 scissors, 8 bobbins, and 8 spools of black thread
I'll hit up Ben Franklin for 8 spools of thread prior to the class.
I will have another vise tomorrow. They can share sissors, it's the bobbins I'm concerned about.
Don't be. I have 10 bobbins not including yours and LD's bobbin he said we can use. That will be enough for all of us: 8 students and 2 instructors.
I also have 7 scissors not including the pair you have.
It's the vises I'm worried about....
I purchase 8 spools of Black 6/0 FlyMaster pre-waxed thread tonight from Mad River Outfitters. The rest of the materials for the 3 fly patterns I already have.
I typed up and printed 15 copies of our own Fly Tying Glossary of terms our students will hear us use in class. The normal terms such as fly, pattern, bobbin, vise, shank, hackle, chenille, etc. As well as other terms such as Trout Unlimited, Project Healing Waters, and the North Branch Smallmouth Alliance.
Also, I have printed out 15 copies of: An anatomy of of the hook with descriptions/pic of the eye, shank, bend, gape, barb, and point.
Finally, step-by-step instructions of the SJW (which I think we should do first), Green Weenie, Wolly Worm, and Wolly Bugger.
We are set! (except for the vises)
When it gets closer to the tying dates I will put together little material bags all set up for each fly we tie. It will include a set of directions and the materials we will need.
Sounds like all the basics are there. I am happy to follow your lead in the tying. You lay it out anyway you would like. I'm getting a lot of good feed back from people. It looks like we are starting to pick up some momentum!
Wow, sounds like you all got a good thing started, I just got my new Legion Magizine, there is a Program Called Project Healing Waters, getting woonded veterans out and teaching them fly fishing. A good thing to do, cept it looks like its all tweedy's doing the teaching from the pictures.
