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Perhaps its greatest benefit is the opportunity fishing creates
for loved ones to spend meaningful time with children. Often, conversation
becomes unimportant. Just spending time together in the outdoors
can be very reassuring for youngsters - and adults.
While catching fish is a natural thrill for kids, the size or species
could matter less to them. But children have limited attention spans
and can get bored after an hour or so. Let them try different baits
or other places to fish. Pay attention to their equipment and ensure
that they are placing their bait in a logical place to catch a fish
such as close to rocks, logs, dock pilings, or weed clumps, etc.
 
IT IS IMPORTANT that adults anticipate that children need to
have a diversion.
Encourage them to go exploring, take some outdoor toys or let them
take a swim. Make sure they get lots to drink,
especially if the weather is hot and insist
that they wear a hat and sunscreen to prevent over-exposure to sun.
Some special snacks will also add to the enjoyment of the day. Fishing
is also is a terrific way for youngsters to interact with nature
and learn about our fish and other aquatic creatures as well as
the need to use them wisely. Share your knowledge with them but
try not to make them feel like they are being lectured.
PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT PARTS OF THEIR FISHING ADVENTURE they
liked and disliked. It is important to reinforce the positive experiences
and learn from the things that they did not care for. Start planning
your next fishing adventure right away.
CLEANING FISH IS BEST LEFT TO ADULTS as it requires a very sharp
knife. The most popular method of cleaning a fish is to fillet it.
With a sharp, narrow-bladed filleting knife follow these steps:
1. On a flat surface, hold the fish by the head and make a cut just
behind the gill cover from the backbone down to just behind the
front (pectoral) fin, being careful not to cut the backbone.
2. Then run the knife along the length of the back bone cutting
close to, but not into, the rib cage, pulling the meat away from
the bones as you go.
3. Next cut down through the fish behind the rib cage to the vent
and run the blade close to the spine, all the way out to the tail.
To remove the skin, lay the fillet skin-side down on a flat surface.
Hold the tail tightly, then run your knife blade away from you, cutting
between the skin and the meat, the length of the fillet. |
