Taking a Kid Fishing Series Article #1-June is National Kids Fishing Month, but wait-June is over… By: Kellie Skelton, Pro Bass Angler & Environmental-Safety Consultant OK, maybe you didn't know that June was National Kids Fishing Month and June is over or maybe you did and missed taking a kid fishing. There was a free fishing day for all to go fishing even if they didn't have a fishing license. For a lot of states it was June 3rd or 10th. Most states offered a free weekend or day of fishing in conjunction with National Fishing and Boating Week. This year National Fishing and Boating week was June 3rd-11th. Now I suppose you are thinking, `well that is a little after the fact.' However, what we really need to focus on is taking juniors fishing any time, any day, and any where. All too often we focus on the `special' times that we take kids fishing instead of just along with us while we are pre-fishing or preparing for a tournament. A junior angler can actually learn more about angling when you are going on a `serious' fishing trip as opposed to a `fun' fishing day. Many times we only take a moment or two of our time to focus on taking a kid fishing that we don't care what kind of fish they catch, just that they catch fish. By inviting a kid to go fishing on a `serious' fish day several advantages occur: One-you let them know up front that you are going on a `serious' fishing trip. That way they will know and understand that the day may not hold a lot of fish, but maybe just a few good ones. They will soon become interested in the art of angling as opposed to just boating the fish. Two-You will be focused on fishing, fishing the way you do when you are pre-fishing. You will be using the baits and fishing for a particular kind of fish. So as you change rods, line, or baits you can explain why you making that change. Three-What does that add up to? Take this on for food for thought. If you are talking and explaining your changes and your baits, the reasons for those changes, i.e. the structure, weather etc. You are practicing. You are practicing for the camera, for that day that the camera boat shows up and ask, “Can we get in your boat?” You have already been practicing and it is just the same. You can imagine the time you spent with a young angler and just relive it in front of the camera. Now, that is the benefit for you. How about the benefit for the young angler? You have given them so much to think about. They will ponder on this abundance of information. Kids are notorious for repeating what they have done, what they saw and what they heard. They will spread the word to other potential young anglers and their parents. Most of all they will have taken interest in an outdoor activity instead of something that may be harmful. Four-During this time of coaching you have the opportunity to spread the word about sport fishing and conservation, boat safety, different plants or animals and so much more that you have to offer a young angler. Five-No matter how serious you thought your fishing day was-You and your junior angler will have a great time. I happen to have a young Junior BASS angler, Cole who loves to fish all of the time. He did something very special for me one day. I have been competing for several years now and we were fishing in a tournament together. Cole caught his biggest fish of his life. He was so happy that I thought he might fall off of the boat. The honest joy and happiness that Cole experienced reminded me why I fish. It is because I love it! If you don't have any over anxious young anglers lining up at your door to go fishing, they probably don't know that you are interested in taking them or you need to look around. Ideas for juniors that are looking for things to do are; (just to name a few) Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Boys and Girls Club, or your local Junior Bass Master members. Take a junior fishing; it will be a GREAT DAY! Safety Note: Prior to taking young anglers fishing always contact the parent and club affiliation with your fishing location, departure and arrival times. This is for both yours and the child's safety. Taking a Kid Fishing Series next Article: Common Sense Safety Tips When Fishing with Junior Anglers _____________________________________________________________________________ Taking a Kid Fishing Series Article #2: Common Sense Safety Tips When Fishing with Junior Anglers By: Kellie Skelton, Pro Bass Angler & Environmental-Safety Consultant I was recently invited to talk to the Four Corner Junior Bass Master's regarding safety tips while fishing. The young anglers were eager to hear what any guest speaker had to say, so it was immediately enjoyable. We spoke about many items, from dehydration, sun burn; to what do you do if something happens to your boater. For the boater, there are many things an angler can do to begin their trip safely. It begins with having all of the essential/required safety equipment available on the boat. AVAILABLE is the key word here. Most of us have our stuff on our boat, but how available is it? Many times the float that is required in boats over 16' has been buried in one of the compartments, and the bucket is full of used lures, and your rope is attached to your anchor. Now that rope is going to be real helpful if someone falls in. And then picture this, “Here buddy, grab the rope,” as the anchor pulls them down to the depths of the midsummer fish… All of these basic safety tips should be exercised not only with Jr. Bass masters, but with any co-angler that you have in your boat. First: Review the location and uses of safety equipment on your boat:        Float Life vests Rope Bucket Fire extinguisher (check it regularly and ensure that it is charged and ready for use) Emergency fuel shut off Lights Flash light Sun screen Potable water Pliers Cell phone or two way radio Any additional clothes or rags that you may have stored Second: Review what to do if something happens to you. Believe it or not, most juniors are VERY capable of running a boat given the right training and circumstances. Review items such as: How to start the boat Does it have a hot foot, or throttle control Always remind juniors to only move the boat if they have to, for example to get cell phone coverage. If it is a short distance then encourage them to use the trolling motor. They need to know what to do if you fall off of the boat. All juniors should be reminded NOT to jump off of the boat to help, but to stay with the boat. Additional key items to remember: Cell Phones: many cell phones are now enabled to send latitude and longitude coordinates when dialing 911. Check with your local cell phone company and to see if your phone is enabled.  If it is, let your co-angler know so that they can alert the 911 operator. Most 911 operators have been trained on this function, but it is good reminder. “My cell phone has emergency coordinates on it.” I know all of these items sound like basic common sense, but so often we become complacent and don't use our safety equipment frequently enough to remind ourselves each time we get on the boat. One last reminder….PUT THE PLUG IN THE BOAT! I hope you have safe and happy fishing. Kellie ___________________________________________________________________________________________________  Taking a Kid Fishing Series Article #3: Values of Fishing By: Kellie Skelton, Pro Bass Angler & Environmental-Safety Consultant Team work The values of taking a kid fishing are so vast that I might not be able to cover them all in just one article. We see how society has taken its turns and twists. How children have become victims in their own schools, neighborhoods, and parks. My children are almost grown now, but I dare repeat the sentiments of my parents and those parents before them; “I would not want to raise a child in this day and age.” Well, the fact is life is going to keep going on and there are going to be parents this generation and many generations to come. So, where do we begin? I say right back at the basics. Many of us were taken fishing as children, which is why we so love to fish today. Some of the folks were not taken fishing as children, but learned to love it anyway, maybe because someone else that had been taken as a child shared their love with a friend. No matter how it happened, we share a common bond; the love of fishing. We may also share many other common bonds, like the unspoken vows of: if I see someone with a boat broke down, I will stop and offer to help; I can help you back that down the ramp; or I can help you get out of the lake. We practice team work on the boat when netting fish or turning the boat to prevent that whaler from getting under a bush. We recognize each other from our bumper stickers, window stickers, boat brands and shirt colors. We watch out for each other and we watch for each other. We share ideas about fishing techniques, lures, rods, reels, smelly stuff, temperatures, and obstacles in the lake. When I say `we', please don't be confused into thinking that I am referring to a specific club or tournament trail, I am referring to ANGLERS. Anglers from any where or any type of fishing have the same thoughts and actions. We have junior bass masters that call the house wanting to talk to either my husband or I routinely. The conversations run from “did you see that fish?” to “I know what he caught it on!” to many other conversations. The thrill of being able to pick up the phone at 14, 15, or 16 or any young age and call an adult that you respect is the icon of admiration and appreciation. From there adults or leaders are able to assist in the development of extended relationships that the young angler will share with other anglers and people of all interests. By helping a young person learn to communicate, be patient, and discover the outdoors, we will be supplementing in the growth of a well rounded enduring adult. Will fishing solve the world's problems or create world peace? Probably not, but it is a fine place to start. Moral Values Moral values are learned from our actions, just as when we are raising our own children. How we behave on the boat may reflect the way they behave on a boat. So, if we take safety into account, they might too. If we take good care of our boat, they might too. I am sure that I could give so many other examples of how the positive impacts may occur, but keep in mind the negative ones will too. The best example is probably how we fish the waters. Are we courteous to other anglers? Do we shoot for their fishing hole on day two? Do we cut people off intentionally? Do we go too close to other boats, swimmers, docks or other items? Our young anglers see all of this. They will most likely be what we make them as anglers, so be on your best angling behavior at all times, not just when they are in the boat. Remember young folks are eager to learn and many times they are watching from the side lines when we may not realize they are there. It might be at a weigh in or on the lake when they are fishing from the bank or with someone else. To inspire a young person is a very large responsibility. Hopefully we are all up to the task at all times. Conservation Conservation probably doesn't need to be discussed for very long, because most of us are up to speed on the importance of conservation, but there are several items to keep in mind. Teaching a young person or new angler how to care for fish is very important. When taking their photo with their newly caught fish, make sure to discuss how to hold the fish to keep from damaging the gills, or the jaw. I read an article in the Farmington Daily Times that Steve Gill had written where he told a story of fly fishing. Here in the placeFour Corners we have Gold Quality Waters that are world famous. The rainbow trout are protected. This is a catch and release area only, where barb-less hooks are required. Steve tells a story where he sees a nice trout swimming around with the lower jaw broken. The fish is destined to die, for now it cannot eat. Unless we take the time, an angler may not know that they are causing harm. What about fizzing the fish? How you know when to do it and how? I know that I personally spent time showing co-anglers during this last tournament the way I fizz a fish. We must remember things like water temperature, the use of protective live well chemicals, and live well operation. In Conclusion, we are mentors every time we are in front of prospective anglers, whether they are on our boat or at a weigh-in. I offer you the challenge to take a kid fishing and teach him or her at least one new thing each time you see them. During the development of this article, something very special and interesting happened. One tidbit to keep this story straight; my husband Scotty owns a bait company-“Scooter Baits.” It is small and still operating from the shop at home. Scotty has been sponsoring a junior angler, Cole Bingham with baits for about a year. Scotty and I have been taking junior anglers fishing for years now, and Cole for about four years or so. Cole, now 16 fished his first ever Federation tournament recently as a co-angler. He finished in second place among all of the adult anglers fishing the State Federation tournament. Not bad. Actually, it's AWESOME! Mr. Junior Angler got on stage and declared that he used Scooter Baits to land his second place position and I suppose you can only imagine what happen then-Yep! Scooter Baits has been getting orders from all over the state. We have had a lot of fun over the years fishing with Cole and have even managed to teach him the art of caring for a sponsor. We are proud sponsors and anglers to have such a successful junior to watch and enjoy. We expect to see him fishing one the big series in the next couple of years. He has already had his taste of the classic when he made it to the Junior Classic a couple of years ago. He was excited to say that “I fished with Edwin Evers.” Cole has qualified for State once again this year, and may have the opportunity to revisit the Classic. I hope that the magic will be shared by all, take a junior fishing, you just never know.