I took my 20-month-old kid down to the river the other day for his first-ever fishing lesson (we bypassed bluegill and went straight to steelhead — got to start ’em out right, ya know?). While he seemed pretty fired up about it all, it was dad who will never forget the moment. Seeing a little bundle of your genetic material holding a rod in his hands for the first time is…wow…hard to describe.
If Coop’s going to be a good steelheader, I had to get him on a left-hand retrieve reel right out of the gate…
And notice the form here…good rod extension to help reduce life drag through the drift. The kid’s a Natural!
Craig Bentley says
Cute Kid JD! But…Where’s his first fish?
Ah yes you were after the illusive metalhead.
If you remember back about 13 years ago, my son Andrew, now 16, was on the cover of WON with his first trout.
I’ll expect the same from the Richey gang, Ok?
Cherish these times, because they go by so fast.
See ya on the water! Craig Bentley
Josh Tapio says
I’m sure you already knew, but that first photo is definitely frame worthy.
Hey, and what’s the difference between using a right or left handed reel? I’ve never heard anyone really talk about one being better than the other. I just thought it was all about preference.
JD says
Yessir, the boy’s already got a chew in. Ma and me been learnin’ him proper about how to be a real fisherman. You should see it — the little fella can almost drink a whole baby’s bottle of Budweiser, too!
wilson says
Awesome JD!! Coop does not yet realize how blessed he is to have you for a lifetime guide.
But I have to ask…… is that a pinch causing his lower lip to bulge?
Wilson