Watching McKenzie fish has been one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had as a parent. She’s becoming more confident on the water as we explore new environments. That confidence is starting to seep into other aspects of her life.
But it’s tough for me to escape the idea that there are people who see a girl on the water, rather than a fellow angler. We regularly hear “she’s keeping up with the boys” or “show the boys how it’s done” while on the water. Those words may seem innocent to some, but they also perpetuate the idea that a woman on the water is notable.
In March of 2020 our son, Calvin, was born. As soon as he finds his legs, he’ll explore the local water with McKenzie and I. Calvin’s eyes are already fixated on his big sister. If they both choose to pursue fishing, McKenzie will be part of Calvin’s fishing education.
Amazing! I’m a female angler wanting to teach my 3 1/2 year old son to flyfish so I will have more opportunities to get on the water. Can you explain, or maybe you have pictures, of how you set up the dowel? He can cast and reel a regular pole and is already catching large bass and catfish. Thank you for your help
Hi Keri! Sorry for the delayed response. We kept the dowel simple and drilled a hole at the top, then tied on some nylon string several feel longer than the dowel. The nylon has some weight to it which seems to help McKenzie feel the line. Hope that helps!