4 Reasons to Take Someone New Fishing

We, fisherpeople, can get a bit regimented about our angling habits at times. You know what I mean… we find a fishing buddy or two that we like to plan trips with and then when someone new seems interested in going along with us or wants to learn more about it, we aren't quite as open to taking them along or showing them the ropes as we could.

When we consider teaching fishing skills to someone new, we may think that it means more work or fewer fish that we actually catch ourselves. However, that is not the case if you consider the long term. Besides, the holidays are about giving and a few hours of your time may mean more to someone than any gift that you could ever buy them.

The reasons to give the gift of your time and take someone new fishing are many, but just in case you need a few specific reasons pointed out, here they are:
 

1. The excitement and curiosity of a new angler is contagious. You just can't beat the feeling that comes along with teaching someone a new fishing skill and then watching their first catch or land a personal best. When a beginner gets excited about reeling one in, the excitement and enthusiasm rubs off on you too. Plus, beginners are usually curious and have plenty of questions -- some of which we may not always have immediate answers to, which prompts us to learn more
2. Fishing is a good way to teach new anglers about outdoor safety. Show beginners how to properly wear a life jacket or PFD, how to safely handle fishing equipment, and how to be aware of different types of wildlife they may encounter.
3. The more we can share about conservation with beginners now, the more fish we will have to catch later. If we don't take the time to talk about conservation and include it in our conversations about fishing for beginners, new anglers may not have an understanding of conservation-friendly catch and release practices or the importance of fishing regulations. Since proper catch and release practices and knowledge of fishing regulations help to ensure healthy fish populations now and into the future, we all need to do our part to share this information.
4. Fishing can help encourage someone new to spend more time outdoors. We can each probably think of at least one person we know who spends fewer hours in front of a television or computer since learning how to fish. When you share your love for the outdoors with others, you may be helping them to lead a healthier lifestyle.

The bottom line is that when you "pay it fishing forward," it ends up helping you just as much as it helps the beginner. So, open your mind the next time you open your tackle box… think about someone in your life that would really appreciate just a few simple hours of fishing with you.