Date: 6/18/08
Contact: Lynne Foster
Phone: (775) 688-1997

FISHING & BOATING: BRINGING FAMILIES TOGETHER

If family relationships seem to be a challenge these days, it could be that you’re looking for love in all the wrong places. A recent survey found that boaters and anglers are more likely to have close relationships with their children than people who don’t boat or fish. If that finding sounds suspicious, it may be as simple as it sounds. Could something as uncomplicated as one outdoor activity really impact family togetherness? The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) – the organization that commissioned the survey – believes it can, in a big way.

“Research shows that people who boat and fish are more likely to be happily married, feel fulfilled with their day-to-day lives and enjoy time with their kids than those who don’t,” said RBFF President and CEO Frank Peterson. “And yet many families never experience the joy these activities can bring.”

A 2008 study from the National Academy of Science found that children and parents are communing with their high-tech televisions and the Internet a whole lot more than they are with nature. And, presumably, a whole lot more than they are with each other. The tremendous growth of video games, meanwhile, has coincided with a slew of national issues like childhood obesity and shortening attention spans among students.

In these days when quality time with family is hard to come by, thousands of people are discovering just how easy bonding can be away from land and on water. Teaching children how to fish – or learning with them – gives families an activity they can enjoy together for a lifetime. At the same time, boating and fishing instill a love of nature and an interest in conservation.

For parents looking to bring their families closer through boating and fishing, here are a few tips to help make the experience a great one:

Go Where the Fish Are

Adult anglers fish mostly for relaxation, while children want action. “Kids need to catch fish to get hooked on the sport,” says Mark Duda, executive director of Responsive Management, a fishing and wildlife research firm. “The best way to ensure they enjoy fishing trips and want to go again is to find locations where they’re most likely to catch something.”

Check with www.ndow.org or visit TakeMeFishing.org to find well-stocked fishing ponds, which make excellent first-time destinations. Here are some suggestions for great spots to fish with kids in the Southern Nevada area:

• Floyd Lamb Park
  Durango & Highway 95, Las Vegas
  
  
• Lorenzi Park
  Washington & Rancho, Las Vegas
  
  
• Sunset Park
  Sunset and Eastern, Las Vegas
  
  
• Veteran’s Memorial Park
  Boulder City
  
  
• Hafen Park pond
  Mesquite
  
  
• Eagle Valley Reservoir
  20 miles east of Pioche
  
  
• Echo Canyon Reservoir
  Lincoln County, east of Pioche
  
  
• Kirch Wildlife Management Area
  Highway 318 about 70 miles north of Ash Springs

The park waters are stocked with rainbow trout during the cold fall and winter months and with catfish when the temperature heats up. Eagle Valley, Echo Canyon and the reservoirs at Kirch are stocked with rainbows. Each of these waters provides anglers of all ages with a chance to real in some feisty fish.

Put the Children First

Children are thrilled the first time they catch a fish, so make sure helping them is your first priority. Don’t expect to do much fishing yourself when taking your children for the first time. After the first few trips, they’ll probably want to handle most tasks themselves, giving you plenty of opportunity to fish, too. In the meantime, remember to bring a camera along to capture their excitement and first catch.

Take Breaks

Remember to take frequent breaks, especially if your children are under the age of 10. Most young children are unable to sit quietly in a boat or on the dock for hours at a time, but interruptions can be great opportunities for more learning experiences. Encouraging them to use pent-up energy to chase butterflies or catch tadpoles, for instance, will help children
appreciate nature and grow up to become responsible lovers of the outdoors.

Give a Safety Lesson

Be sure to take the time to teach your children some basic safety measures. Show them how to put on personal flotation devices (PFDs), or lifejackets, and give them an overview of how the boat works. And find ways to make it fun. If conditions allow and you stay by their side, allowing your son or daughter to drive the boat in open water can be a thrilling experience.

Most importantly, remember that family fishing trips are about fun, wholesome times together. You may not frame a picture of your children playing video games or reminisce about an unforgettable evening spent in front of the television. Setting aside a day to enjoy the outdoors with your children, on the other hand, will give you memories to last a lifetime.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, restores and manages fish and wildlife, promotes fishing, hunting, and boating safety. NDOW’s wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen’s license and conservation fees and a federal surcharge on hunting and fishing gear. Support wildlife and habitat conservation in Nevada by purchasing a hunting, fishing, or combination license. For more information, visit www.ndow.org.