Take a kid fishing.  We hear that phrase all the time and it sounds like a good idea but when have you actually followed through?  In our busy world we often have noble intentions but never seem to find the time.  Fathers and grandfathers ought to take their sons and grandsons but we also need to consider other young ones outside our immediate family who might not otherwise have an opportunity because of their circumstances. 
    Taking a couple of hours to introduce a child to nature and the glory of our outdoor world could be a life changing experience for them.  Too many of these young boys and girls know very little about what the outdoors has to offer.  A large percentage of them are so tied to computers, video games and television that they are missing out on one of life’s great gifts.  You don’t have to be an expert to show them how to catch a fish.  Our local ponds are full of bluegills, shellcrackers, and other species of pan fish that are nearly always willing to give a thrill to young and old fishermen alike.  Right now is the perfect time of year to get started.
    Equipment needs are minimal.  For example you can start off with a simple cane pole or the modern version sometimes known as a bream buster.  The bream buster is just a telescopic pole usually made of some kind of fiber glass that is rigged with an eye on the end to tie your fishing line.  They are flexible and light enough for the fisherman to feel the frenzied fight of a nice sized bream.  Additionally they are easy to store when the day is over.
    Light line, maybe six pound test is plenty along with some small hooks, a little lead and a cork to complete your rigging.  You can buy worms at any bait shop but you might want to give them the total experience by digging your own.  I think you will find that kids will enjoy digging worms as much fun as fishing and it’s smart to have some little adventures planned for your trip in case the fishing is too slow for their taste.  Nothing wrong with taking a break or two during the afternoon to go on an excursion around the pond to look for frogs, turtles, grasshoppers, or other interesting creatures.  You could also consider buying some crickets to fish with as well.  Sometimes bluegills like them better than worms and the crickets can furnish additional entertainment for the kids.
    If you think they are capable of using a reel and rod combination a Zebco 202 or 33 is a perfect starting point for your young outdoorsman.  They are light, easy to throw and usually come with line already spooled on them.
    One of the keys to getting them hooked on fishing is action.  Take them to a place where you know there are plenty of willing bream.  The fish don’t have to be big for the kids to enjoy catching them.  The very best scenario is to take them to a place where the fish are bedding.  For shellcrackers that is usually a six or eight week period somewhere between April and June.  For bluegills the next really good time is around the full moon in May.  You can actually smell bream if they are bedding.  Their strong musky odor is unmistakable and once you get a whiff it’s just a matter of locating them by trying out several areas.
    Once you are settled in and start to catch some fish you need to be prepared to serve as a jack-of-all-trades.  You will have to take fish off, get lines untangled, bait hooks and be an instructor.  Try to get them to touch the fish and show your little friend that there is nothing to be afraid of.  Don’t force them to handle the fish if they are scared of them.  Your example and their natural curiosity will eventually win the day.  Be patient at all times and just let them learn at their own pace.  Again the object is to have fun so they will want to come back.
    Some other things that will make the day more enjoyable are to find places to fish that are in the shade.  Nothing will shorten the patience of your little fisherman quicker than a hot sun bearing down on him.  Bring plenty of stuff to drink and a few snacks.  Another thing I’ve done is to tell them that where we are fishing is a “secret place” and they can’t tell anyone about it.  That helps to make the trip a special one for them.
    If you happen to be taking a kid that’s a little older and wants to venture out to other types of fishing you can fix him up with a Texas rigged plastic worm and let him tromp up and down the bank in search of a bass.  Just use a 2/0 hook rigged with a small bullet weight and any kind of plastic worm (insert the hook back into the body of the worm).  They are heavy enough to make casting easy and are not prone to hang ups.
    Once you have taken a kid fishing you may have a partner for life and that little partner will be off the sofa, out in the fresh air and enjoying the real stuff of life.

    Alvin Richardson can be reached at dar8589@bellsouth.bet