fishing with kids

[Anonymous]

Do you have any experiences taking your kids fishing, or ideas of places to go in the DC area that would be fun for kids to learn how to fish?

[Anonymous]

Some of the Fairfax County Parks offer fishing but our concern was that there wouldn't be much "catching" - if you know what I mean. I saw in the Falls Church Parks and Recreation camp brochure they were offering a fishing camp. Unfortunately, our kids are too young but I did call John Lipetz 703-609-8083 to see if they had anything for the younger group. He was very positive and enthusiastic. We're planning to arrange something with him over the summer.

http://www.fallschurchva.gov/Content/Docs/SummerCampsBrochure.pdf
Virginia Fishing Adventures
Ages 9-14
Campers learn the basics of fresh and saltwater fishing in nearby private ponds, rivers, and the Chesapeake Bay. Campers depart from the Falls Church Community Center Art Room and are driven by staff to the fishing location. Safety is our number one priority, so campers will wear lifejackets when in the water or on a boat. Virginia Fishing Adventures provides all food and drinks, bait and tackle, rods and reels, and lifejackets. No fishing experience necessary. For itineraries and more, visit www.virginiafishingadventures.com or contact John Lipetz with any questions at 703-609-8083 or [e-mail]
When: 381705-D July 12-16
381705-H August 9-13
Time: 8:30am-4:30pm (return times may vary)
Fees: R: $550 / NR: $560
Location: Departs from and returns to the Falls Church Community Center
Extended Care:
389993-D, H 7-8:30am $28
389994-D, H 4:30-6pm $38
Extended Care Location: Falls Church Community Center

[Anonymous]

Wow, that looks like a great camp!

My kids have expressed an interest in learning to fish, and I just want them to have some good first experiences, but neither my husband nor I have ever gone fishing before, so I don't have any idea how to go about this. (We live in MD)

Are there fishing rods that are good for kids?

[Anonymous]

In Montgomery County (found through www.parkpass.org)
(Note that the parks listed below sell the necessary fishing permits, too.)


Friday May 14, Meadowside Nature Center
Gone Fishin’
We’ll make our own cane fishing poles, then try them out
on the shoreline of Lake Needwood. Largemouth bass,
catfish, bluegill, crappie, and trout are just a few of the fish
found in Lake Needwood—what will you catch? Meet
Naturalist Glenn Rice at the Lake Needwood Boat House
(15700 Needwood Lake Circle, Rockville, 20855).
103151 7-10 YEARS FREE 5:30-6:45PM


Black Hill Boats
Black Hill Regional Park • 20920 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds, MD 20841
301-972-6157 weekends • 301-972-9396 Monday-Friday
BlackHillBoats.com

Lake Needwood Boats
Rock Creek Regional Park
15700 Needwood Lake Circle, Rockville, MD 20855
301-762-9500 info • 301-948-5053 Park Manager
LakeNeedwoodBoats.com
Lakes open for public boating March 1. Boat rentals available: Saturdays & Sundays
in May • During regular season (Memorial Day-Labor Day), hours and days of operation
vary between the two boating facilities. Please see their websites for operating
schedules, rates and more information.

Fishing Camp for Youth
Join us for four days of fun and adventure! We’ll teach you
how, when and where to catch freshwater fish, and provide
expert, hands-on instruction on balanced tackle, artificial
lure selection, knots, casting, and the latest techniques.
Meet at Black Hill Regional Park Visitor Center each day.
Itinerary and list of equipment needed will be sent out prior
to camp. FOBH $215. All participants will receive tackle
packs (a $25 value!) filled with lures chosen especially for
this area, and a free Fishing Resource Notebook packed withvaluable fishing tips and info! Instructors: Naturalist Ken Umbarger, with volunteer adult anglers. FOBH $215
Black Hill Visitor Center
98801 11-17yrs 4 Days $220 7/6-7/9 Tu-F 8:30am- 5pm

Adventures in Nature
Budding naturalists will enjoy adventures in nature as we
discover the plants and animals of Rock Creek Regional Park.
We’ll catch insects in the meadow, splash in the creek, hike
through the forest, go fishing at Lake Needwood, and more.
Meadowside Nature Center
99562 5-6yrs 5 Days $140 8/2-8/6 M-F 9:30am- 1:30pm

[Anonymous]

You guys are great!

Where would you go to find some fish that you can eat? I.e. not from polluted waters?

[Anonymous]

Where I grew up, we did a lot of fishing as little kids. All you need is a basic rod and reel like a really simple Zebco, or even a bamboo pole. Put on a hook, a small weight, and a bobber. Bring a pack of hotdogs. If you are squeamish, bring a needle-nose pliers to get the hook out and also some sunscreen and bug spray since you will be near the edge of a pond.

Find a pond at a park that has fishing for kids. Usually there are some ponds that are full of bluegill. They will strike at anythingg You stick a chunk of hotdog on the hook, toss it in wherever you think there are fish, and leave it in until you see the bobber dip in the water, then hook the fish. You can pull them up easily, and you just let them go after the kids get to look at them. I would not worry about eating the fish. In fact at this age, that might be a bit much for them.

When the kids' attention wears out, you have a picnic or play at the playground on the park grounds.

A few notes: find out about whether you as an adult need a fishing license. I suspect you do, although where I grew up the parents' didn't if they were just helping the kids to fish. I grew up in Mo, so I don't know the regulations here.

Also, you want to read the signs that explain whether there are any special rules for that pond.

[Anonymous]

In the summer, Lake Needwood has a couple kids' fishing days. You should find them in the MoCo Parks and Recreation Guide for summer.

I have never been fishing before, but I took my daughter to one of the fishing days last summer. She wasn't as into it so I did most of the fishing for her. There were experienced fishers on hand to help me catch fish. And I did catch a few fish. Not to brag or anything, but I also won smallest fish caught for my age division (erm...I meant to say my DD won...yeah). DD's prize was her own fishing pole! And since she was one of the first 25 people to sign up for fishing day, she received a free pole too.

So Lake Needwood is great - pretty easy to catch fish and there were people around to help.

[Anonymous]

Loudoun County and I think Herndon Community Center in VA in their parks and recreation guides have some fishing days coming up. They even take the toddlers.

[Anonymous]

Thanks again for all the tips! Lake Needwood sounds great.

[Anonymous]

There's also a yearly fishing event geared to get kidsk, the "Family and Youth Casting Call" at Fletcher's Boat House - this year on April 24th from 11-4:

http://www.familyandyouthcastingcall.com/

[Anonymous]

Thanks PP! From that event, I found this one, coming up this weekend on March 13th -- looks like lots of opportunities to teach kids some skills.

http://www.familyandyouthcastingcall.com/blog/view/765

Local Trout Unlimited Chapter Event, March 13
One of our partners, the National Capitol Chapter of Trout Unlimited will be hosting their annual show from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm on March 13. The show is at the Georgetown Prep School Field house off Rockville Pike RT 355 just north of the Beltway. Show Admission for those 16 and under is free. Directions and more details can be found at www.NCC-TU.org.