NORCAL are being fished, explain to kids why that approach is being used and, more importantly, how to fish it.
MAKE IT INTERACTIVE
Tiffany and Braxton Haugen nailed a double with good friend and noted guide Todd Harrington. Timing, fishing in comfort and knowing when to call it a day are all key elements when it comes to hooking the kids on winter steelhead fishing. (SCOTT HAUGEN)
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72 California Sportsman FEBRUARY 2018 | calsportsmanmag.com
Kids are capable of soaking up so much detailed information but parents often overlook this. As a former science teacher of 12 years, it never ceased to amaze me how hard I could push students, challenge them and see them perform time after time. Teach them the anatomy of a steelhead hole. Identify ideal plugging water and how it’s different than classic side-drifting spots. Point out the differences in running jigs through a stretch of water versus fishing bait bounced along the bottom. Get them thinking how they would go about catching a fish in a particular stretch of water, and then have them explain their reasoning. In order to maximize your quality of time on the water, leave all portable gaming systems at home. Nothing can detract from a fun day on the river like having a kid – or an adult, for that matter! – playing games. Fishing offers the perfect opportunity for great family time, so take advantage of it. Make your social media posts when the day is done; don’t ruin the moment by doing it right away. The youth deserves your undivided attention at this time, more than anyone else. When it comes to hooking kids on winter steelhead fishing, keep it fun and know when to call it quits. As parents who love fishing, it’s up to us to share our passions with our youth, with the ultimate goal being to give them the knowledge, desire and confidence to enjoy this great pastime for the rest of their lives. CS Editor’s note: For signed copies of Scott Haugen’s popular book 300 Tips To More Salmon & Steelhead, send a check for $30 (includes S&H) to Haugen Enterprises, P.O. Box 275, Walterville, OR 97489. This and other how-to books, including cookbooks, can be ordered online at scotthaugen.com. Scott is host of The Hunt on Netflix. Follow him on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.