[Brian L]

Great thread, George.

I've got a 1 and 8yr old daughters. The 8 yr. old really likes to fish, especially on the boat in the ocean. I've encouraged them towards whatever interests them about fishing and learned (like you have, Numby) that introducing them to an advanced fishing concept too soon can dissuade them from wanting to keep fishing.

When I get home from a trip, the little one (Molly) is always fascinated by all the gear and wants to investigate everything. I'll let her pick up anything without a hook on it and try to figure it out. It's amazing how quickly they pick it up if you allow them to without interference. Only time I jump in is if she'd hurt herself or break something! Got a pic here of Molly on my lap learning how a Stradic works. I'd just gotten home from a trip and had her on my lap watching me re-spool the line. A few minutes later she was spinning the reel handle by herself!

I try to encourage their curiosity as much as possible and minimize any limitations to it. Worked pretty well with the 8 yr. old, hoping to do an even better job with the little one. Best advice I ever got about leading/influencing was that the only way to do it is by example, not by force. I'm trying..