Tips for Family Fishing Trips

The Outdoors Scene

By Ron Hellbusch

A fishing guide I enjoy time with on the upper South Platte River waters gave me a “wake up call” this week. He reported he was not taking any reservations between the last week in May and July 1 due to an above-average runoff anticipated during June. The high mountain ranges that feed the South Platte River tributaries are holding a significant snowpack, and that means a longer than normal snow melt and runoff time line.

That got me thinking that could be an excellent period of time to keep the fly rod in the case and to plan some relaxed family fishing trips to some of the lakes, reservoirs and ponds along the Front Range. Maybe even add some new spice and flare for the kids to minimize those inescapable boring moments by focusing on where and how to give the kids an exciting and fun day fishing.

Take Me Fishing (www.takemefishing.org), a great family fishing organization that shows us how to have exceptional days fishing, and how to encourage and incorporate family into the fishing experience, has some ideas to enhance a day with rod and reel.

Take Me Fishing suggests we look beyond the easy-to-get-to, close-in fishing ponds we may normally frequent for variety and to find better fishing and fish populations.

They also offer that allowing the kids to go beyond just rod, reel and bobber fishing will excite them, keep them focused and offer a new angling challenge. Introduce them to spin-cast gear and applying small, manageable lures and spinners.

Provide or rent a canoe or kayak to get them off the heavily used pond banks and out into the more secluded fishing water. Moving about on the lake or pond in itself adds a good change of pace for kids, will generate enthusiasm for their fishing day and very likely invite more catches. You can look beyond the smaller canoes and kayaks and consider renting a boat with small trolling outboard motor. This will take their fishing experience to yet another level by introducing them to trolling.

Another suggestion by Take Me Fishing is to extend the fishing day to an overnight camping event. The family will enjoy the relaxation and close family time that overnight camping offers by not having to pick up and head home early evening the same day.

If the family is into mountain biking, take the bikes to add yet another twist to the fishing trip. Taking a break from fishing the easy access areas by biking to more remote waters can be fun for the kids. It definitely satisfies the typical fisherman’s concern, that being the fishing will be better away from camp.

Colorado offers more than 200 state wildlife areas and an additional number of state parks, many of which offer fishing. This unusual Colorado wet spring and runoff season can be an exciting and a new angling learning experience for the whole family. We are sure to enhance the young angler’s interest and drive to go fishing when we add a variety and new approach. And that makes for some great family days outdoors.