How Do We Learn Fishing?

[Johnny wilkins]

Do people really want to learn how to catch fish? Describe how you initially learned to catch fish.

[Johnny wilkins]

I am interested to hear how people learned to fish. I am thinking that there is not a lot passed on from generation to generation. It is my theory that a lot of knowledge has simply slipped through the cracks - and is gone. What say you?

[Derrick Bustle]

I actually started off teaching myself. then went to watching videos and reading books.

[dick tabbert]

It starts with that first initial time out when Dad took us fishing. You know the first thing was casting. Dad showed us how and we thought we knew so much I told dad let me do it I know how after watching him cast a couple times, such an impatient  kid I was. Dad gives us the rod to shut us up more than anything and we push the button and fling the rod in a forward motion and nothing happens. Dad tells us you need to let go of the button Son when the rod is straight up. OK now we got it we haul back and fling the rod forward remembering to let go of the button. The line cast left of me with dad all caught up in the line, see this time I through side armed. Finally after about a dozen tries I got it down. Now he explains to me how to thread the worn on the hook wow first time down I had it so he explains to me when the float goes under set the hook. Dad shows me how to set the hook. Finally I get a bite and reeled in my float and guess what in all my excitement I forgot to set the hook no fish. I have no fish to show for my effort. Dad being dad explains the reason for setting the hook. After about 6 or 8 not setting the hook I finally set the hook and caught my first fish and guess what it was a 4" bluegill not big but a fish never the less and it got me excited. I think by the time we were done I caught 6 and I was the best fisherman in the world if you would of asked me I would have told you so. See dad taught me the basics and anytime we went out I would always watch dad and pick up on some of the things he done and in doing so I caught more and bigger fish. So initially we get started from someone in my case my dad. Either we like or dislike and my dad kept me energized and keep it fun for me and that's how I started. Weather we pay attention or subconsciously pick it up it's a learning experience. The list goes on and on all we have to do is pay attention to what we do to catch fish and continue adding our learned skills. It may be an accident that we caught a fish but from that accident we have to remember what it was, why did I catch that fish. I accident was the reason we caught the fish learning was in the remembering what we did to catch that particular fish and remember. I could go on but I think we must all agree we learn fishing from day one weather we improve upon then skills is entirely up to us.

[Walt Foreman]

I learned some from my grandfather and some from my uncle, but most of what I know I learned from reading hundreds upon hundreds of fishing magazines; when I was fourteen I subscribed to six different fishing mags.  I also learned a lot over the years from expert fishermen I encountered on the water, and from personal observation.  I do agree completely that a lot of knowledge has been lost; for instance, the inventor/father of structure fishing, Buck Perry, made a clear and adamant distinction between structure, which he defined as a change in bottom configuration and which definition was subsequently reinforced and perpetuated for many years by Fishing Facts magazine, and cover, which he defined as some object (weeds, stumps, etc.) found on structure that concentrates the fish.  Now it's the norm rather than the exception for people to misuse the term structure by applying it to cover - and no one notices because the same thing is done even in magazines and on fishing shows.  So I hear you, Johnny!

[Johnny wilkins]

The most recent issue of Fishing Facts features an article where you tie a rock to your line. I am NOT joking. Buck Perry would get the chills.

[Johnny wilkins]

Love it! I was in the I know-it-all dad, I have this down-pat club! Excellent post.

[Lord of the Fly , Rods]

    I understand what you are saying about fishing knowledge slipping through the cracks , man started out fishing for food and now they fish for fun, and I also believe that there is a difference between urban and rural opportunities to fish and therefor the rural folks have a better chance of passing on fishing knowledge because of their proxsimity to water resources which  relates to time on the water and thus experience ,and passing on  fishing skills . I was born into a bluegill catching family and they had me in the boat when I was 3 years old with a can pole in my hand, I caught fish ,and had fun , but there was no way you could call me a fisherman at that time  but it started the foundation. Next I spent years practicing my skill on bluegill in the swamps of South Louisiana, now  I enjoy my time sharing my experiences with my kids and other friends out on the water, trying to pay back the time my Dad spent with me to teach me how to fish. My daughter has really taken to it ,and in a couple of years She will probally be as good as anyone I know.   I do think a lot of kids now that want to fish get most of their fishing knowledge watching the Outdoor channel and fishing shows that promote bass fishing and neglects bluegill fishing. Catching a bluegill really dosent take a lot of money, just a pole , a string, a bobber, a hook , some bait  and a willingness to learn patience. If I didn't have my fly rod a would just a soon use a cane pole , catching bluegill is not rocket science, just put a big fat cricket in front of a bluegill  face and he will do the rest , just be ready to set the hook.    LOFR

[dick tabbert]

You are right and as I see the world today I see a decline in fishing as we know it today. Kids now have there computers and games and that is the excitement they get out of life and most won't leave it cause it's there comfort zone and they are addicted. There has to be an interest that someone has to start to get the juices flowing and in today's society the working man works 50 or 60 or more hours a week working 6 or 7 day's and I can tell you from personal experience that make's it hard so we don't pass it on because we don't have  the time that we need to share with our family. I personally took the boy's every chance I got and every year we stayed at a different cottage on a different lake. I can tell you I had 2 boy's one loves to fish the other loves his computers so I'm batting 50/50. I took it upon myself to keep all the grand kid interested. Again every year I take my grandkids to a lake for a week vacation trying for a new lake every year. I have one grand daughter that love it so much if she had a pole she would fish a mud puddle and she keep me going. She constantly asking questions wanting to learn and that means the world. So someone has to initiated weather we are rural or urban there needs to be a seed planted and you are quit right it is much easier in an urban setting.

[Johnny wilkins]

Absolutely - 

It is hard to get the kids out - some don't want to fish. I take my kids only when they want to and then force them on occasion. They love the outdoors and they enjoy it once they have separation from the computer - fishing can't be matched because of the outdoors - Call of Duty or most any video game is about the same every time out...

[Tony Livingston]

I believe to become a successful BG angler, or probably any species for that matter, one has to be willing to spend. As in time spent on the water, time spent reading fishing publications, time spent talking and fishing with more experienced anglers, time spent studying the habits and nuances of the particular species you are trying for, and yes, some money spent getting appropriate gear together.

Fish often. When you're not catching what you want, make a change, either to your tackle, your choice of bait or lure, or your technique. Keep fishing. Observe what works, and see if you can figure out why it works. Expand on that. Build on your successes and learn from your failures.

Want to earn your place in the  5% club? Be prepared to spend. That's my philosophy.

 

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

I first went fishing with my dad. Did he "teach" me about fishing? Well.... yeah, I guess you could say that. I dont recall that we sat at the waters edge, the Old Man imparting the Wisdom of the Ages. It was more like, "Stick that on there, boy, and don't get it hung up!" But I think I also remember a look of pride on his face when I brought back the first fish caught on my own.

He wasn't a superb Teacher, perhaps, but he did something greater -  he first showed me the Way. 

Thanks, Dad. I miss you.

[cal okeefe]

see i disagree with you johnny wilkins.. i think most fisherman learn from family and friends.. im not far from you down around bartonville IL.. lots and lots of people fish around here and any given day you can see small children playing in the minnow tank at the local outdoor store.. i believe that you are from around chicago [ please correct me if im wrong]  and i think that it would maybe differnt where you are.. i doubt anyone in my area would pay for fishing lessons.. its  passed on heritage here from father to son.. etc.. no disrespect intended this is just my opinion.