Dear "E" (aka Erva Bass),

I have been fishing since I was too young to remember when. I have twin sixteen year old daughters who won't fish because they are afraid to touch a fish (also live bait of any kind). This inexplicable phobia may stem from their first fishing trip at about age two...

We walked about two blocks from our house in the city to a small creek. I had dug up some worms in the flower bed, thinking they were old enough to be initiated into the world of fishing (the girls, not the worms). I didn't tell them what we were going to do, I just walked them through the blackberry bushes to the edge of the creek. I tossed the line in the water and told them to "Watch Girls!!" Within a few seconds, the bobber went under. Before I could even jerk, both girls began screaming like banshees and running backwards through the blackberry bushes, eyes bulging. This was not good, since they had on thin summer shorts. I had to chase them down, to avoid their running into a busy street. No explaining could convince them that what was in the water wasn't going to annihilate them. I felt certain their fears would be allayed if I could only show them a fish, but the hysteria scene was repeated when I pulled a three inch perch out of the water.

It was a long, silent trip home (except for the crying) only a few minutes after our adventure had begun. The girls did their best, but at age two, they simply didn't know how to console me. All hope for long years of family fishing trips had been dashed.

Can you help me "E"? What can I do to help my 16 year old daughters learn to enjoy my lifelong passion?

Beverly

Dear Beverly,

All of God's children were not given the natural desire to become anglers. I know you meant well and were anxious to share your passion with your twin two year olds, but it has been my experience that most two year olds are scared of many things, even Santa Claus. You can't change the past. We all want our kids to follow in our footsteps. None of my kids care anything about fishing, but they encourage me and it makes them happy to see me doing something that makes me happy.

My first suggestion would be to offer them a "trade-off". In exchange for spending a day of fishing with you, you will spend a day with each of them doing something they enjoy. Let them fish with some closed-faced reels and something easy to cast such as an in-line spinner. Make the day short and make it fun by taking some snacks, drinks and a camera. Let them do the fishing and you do the assisting.

Another suggestion is to find two good looking 16 year old boys who like to fish and invite them along for the day. The girls will forget about what they dislike about fishing and will probably want to make a good impression in front of the boys. You can just stay in the background and chaperone!

Maybe someone who reads your story will want to share their opinion on the subject. I hope I have been of some help.

Sincerely,

"E"

P. S. Whatever you do, DON'T USE LIVE BAIT.