First-time fishing

Making memories: First-time angler Brayden Massey Jones, 3, enjoys a day down at the dock recently. He caught four species of fish with the help of his father, Ed Jones, a fisheries biologist in Juneau.

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It is amazing how some memories never fade. A prime example is that I still vividly recall the first time I ever went fishing. My dad took me out to a drainage ditch along the muddy Rio Grande River.

I remember how eager I was to wet my line and it seemed I could watch my bobber for hours on end. I have no idea what my dad and I talked about or if we even caught a fish but I know we had a good time and I must have thought highly of the fishing, considering I made it my life's work and hobby.

Here in Southeast, we live in an area inundated by water that is often teeming with fish. Unlike that drainage ditch down South where a bite was considered a successful day of fishing, in this part of the world you can practically be guaranteed action in some form or another.

This land is a virtual gold mine for kids wanting to catch a fish and a great way for the adults to spend some quality time with the youngsters. And other than the time it takes to get to the water and perhaps a few expenditures like a fishing pole, some subtle tackle, and perhaps a license for yourself, taking a child fishing is relatively easy and inexpensive. Remember, children under 16 years of age do not need a fishing license in the state of Alaska.

A few years ago I helped teach a youth fly fishing class in a nearby rural community. On the first day of the class the question was posed as to how many had ever fished. Not surprisingly, most of them held their hands up. That question was then refined to just how many of them had ever used a fishing pole. Ironically, not a single hand was raised and it was painfully clear that fishing meant work to these folks.

In addition, most of the class participation was based on the premise that this class was better than the alternative being offered. As instructors we had our work cut out for us but our charge was simple: get these kids to the water and into some fish. It's amazing how effective that medicine can be and after one dose the students were so enthusiastic about fishing it was all we could do to get them out of the water and back to town.

I am grateful my dad always found time to take me fishing as a youth. Memories gathered during those trips can never be replaced and my affection for the outdoors was founded during those outings. Just the other day I decided it was time to take my son out fishing for his first time. Although he is only three, he's quite accomplished at cranking his toy reel and he handles his pole with the grace of a crazed swordsman. And such skills are more than excessive qualifications required to go fishing.

My primary concern that day was that he might get bored so I limited the trip to a couple of hours. During that time he managed to land four species of fish and surely another was responsible for breaking his line and inspiring yet another hour of fishing. Even though I was under the weather that day and not interested in watching a child near a hazardous environment, I made a promise I had to keep and I'm thankful for doing so. Now I feel the only fuel needed to light his fishing fire is good weather but surely that will change in time.

Earlier this summer I drove by that drainage ditch where I learned to fish so many years ago. Not much has changed there over the years and I hear that trout are still stocked there during the winter months. I imagine children still take first casts in pursuit of a lifetime hobby while carving memories in stone to last a lifetime.

• Ed Jones is a fisheries biologist in Juneau.