Big fish from a small pond Emmet Scrivner celebrates a catch at Boulder’s Evert Pierson Kids’ Fishing Pond. PHOTO BY BREANNA LAMBERT[/caption]

Feeling that first tug on the fishing line is a rite of passage for a kid. Even more so for a mountain kid. Though you and your child may head to the pond or lake with the sole intention of reeling in a big one, the fish-catching part, though rewarding, likely isn’t the best part of an afternoon on or beside the water. Here’s how to ensure your child’s path to becoming an experienced angler is enjoyable.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife, in a post titled Tips for Fishing with Kids, covers the basics of preparing yourself for a successful outing: wear life jackets, slather on sunscreen, douse yourself in insect repellant, and protect your eyes with sunglasses and hats, but also points out that you should use the correct size fishing tackle. Adult-sized poles will be unwieldy and frustrating in a child’s hands. Indian Peaks Ace Hardware in town carries a nicely curated selection of kid-sized poles and other fishing equipment, and the knowledgeable staff can guide you to what is suitable for your little one.

Dick’s Sporting Goods, another great spot to peruse for equipment, in a post called How to Choose Kids’ Fishing Poles, suggests starting your child with a spincast reel. These simple reels are attached to spinning rods and feature a push-button mechanism that activates the reel’s line release. If you fished when you were small, this is likely the reel you learned with. For length, manufacturers usually make kids’ fishing rods that are three to four feet in length. As your child becomes more proficient at fishing and/ or grows taller, you can upgrade to a longer rod. Dick’s also reminds parents that though fishing may be a gentle sport, the equipment might take a beating as kids learn. The sporting goods company says to look for “lightweight-yet-tough materials such as graphite, fiberglass and composite blends.”

Once you have your basic gear, practice on land before you head to the water. Pure Fishing, a major fishing gear retailer, offers a few tips on casting: A sidearm cast, not an overhead, is better and safer for kids. First, ensure the area is clear. Then, bring the rod back, keeping it above the waist. Swing the rod forward while flicking the wrist and releasing the line before the rod points at the target. End with the rod pointing at the target. Get your child as comfortable with the equipment as possible so that when you get to the lake or pond, they can cast right in.

In Colorado, everyone 16 and older must have a fishing license. But CPW says even if you’re assisting your child, you need to have a license, too. Licenses are valid March 1 through March 31 (13 months) for fishing, combination fishing and hunting, small game, and Colorado waterfowl stamps. You can buy them at sales agents, CPW offices, online, or by phone at 1-800-244-5613. If purchasing a license isn’t in your plans, CPW says you can fish in Colorado without a license only on the first full weekend of June, each year.

Though many of us grew up poking our hooks through wiggling worms, Pure Fishing suggests starting kids with artificial baits like worm and minnow soft-baits because they’re easy to handle and won’t spoil. As your child gains fishing experience, you can explore more complex bait, including what certain fish prefer.

The fishing pond at Chipeta Park and Boulder’s Evert Pierson Kids’ Fishing Pond are two great local places to start since both ponds are stocked with hungry (or so we hope!) fish. According to the City of Boulder, Evert Pierson was once an old University of Colorado gravel pit redeveloped into a children’s fishing pond in 1949 by the Boulder Fish and Game Club. The pond is stocked with approximately three thousand fish each year from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Kids are allowed to keep up to three catches per day.

Your first few fishing trips should be all about your child, so leave your gear at home. Once your child gets the hang of it, try fishing side by side. If you’re the first to get a bite, hand the rod to your child so they can practice reeling it in and share in the excitement instead of being disappointed their own line is empty.

If you still have questions, Wild Bear Nature Center is another great resource for fishing, including instruction on how to tie a fly and fly fishing camps for teens.