Kids like to fish

Kids like to fish, too

BY STEVE BEHR

The scene is iconic as any on television.

It’s the one where Andy and Opie Taylor walk down a dirt road on their way to go fishing. If Andy Taylor isn’t bailing out Barney Fife out of trouble, or allowing Otis Campbell a free night at the Mayberry Grey Bar Hotel, he’s fishing.

No doubt, Opie is right behind.

The Mayberry duo was not the first father-son to go fishing and won’t be the last. There are expected to be many parents to go fishing with their kids in several fishing holes throughout the High Country.

Some kids may use the old-fashioned rope on a stick and try their luck that way. Most will try a different way.

Katy Stough of Waypoint Outfitters said that kids may not be able to handle the same fishing poles and lures, but they can get the same fun that the adults who take them to the lakes and rivers to test their fishing skills.

Stough has three children who all like to fish and offered some insight on how to get the interested. Her children learned that fishing is not as simple as just sticking a worm on the end of a wire and sticking it in the water.

“We started them young,” Stough said of her kids. “Just going to the streams, we showed them the minnows and learning about the flow of the water and where the fish like to be based on the path of the water and the obstructions involved.”

Stough said she and her husband started the kids with a cane pole, a pole that is smaller than regular fishing poles and don’t have the reel attached to it.

“It’s a thing where you can just toss out the line and it simplifies it at first,” Stough said. “It’s going to be a little shorter and a little easier to handle.”

Stough said it’s easier to keep the kids interested if they can see there’s more to fishing than drowning worms. She said it helps to keep them interested if they can occasionally catch some fish.

FISHING

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the sport, and next to that are younger folks who are taking up fly fishing as well, from teenagers to college students to those in their late 20s.”

Dale is an optimist when it comes to the pandemic, his company and with fly fishing in general.

“Short-term, it has been difficult, but long-term is starting to look better,” said Dale. “The silver lining is that I am learning new ways to do business and to help our customers. The engagement with our customers that we have experienced on social media has been surprising. I have always used social media as a place where I like to provide free information and entertainment, a place where people can learn how to fly fish, and to paint a pretty picture of life on the water. But, I never focused on selling much on those platforms. At the same time, social media has been very helpful as people have been forward about buying our products and helping us to keep our store open during this crazy time. It has led to a deeper engagement with our local and regional fly fishermen and -women.”

Come experience our customer service at Wildlife Unlimited for all your Hunting, Fishing, Archery and Shooting Sports gear. We have knowledgeable staff in all our departments. We carry products that are name brand and proven, all major Handguns, Rifles, and Archery includes: Hoyt, Bear, X-Caliber, Easton, Rinehart and much more! Drop in and check out our own exclusive Wildlife Unlimited Branded Gear and accessories for men and women, including conceal carry purses. We also carry safes and specialize in land management services for your property as well. We look forward to meeting you and providing you assistance to take care of all your Outdoor needs! • Online store @ wildlifeunlimitedboone.com • Email us at store@wildlifeunlimitedboone.com

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