Comments regarding her son Morgan's interest in fly fishing
By Jeannette Hanna

Children are young for such a short time (and old for so long). Childhood should hold the opportunity for fun and adventure, freedom and nature.At least that is what my husband and I had, he with oceans, forests and jungles and I, with horses, farmlands and canals.

We have raised our children, however, in a suburb of Sacramento, capital of California. The neighborhoods are leafy and quiet in our area and the American River is only a few blocks away. But four lane thoroughfares of busy, dirty, fast- moving traffic divide this area many times with several of the most dangerous intersections in Sacramento.

For reasons of safety and survival, children tend to be driven to school, friends, parksand sports long after children in other settings have been biking independently. Where is the chance for adventure?This absence of opportunity for independence and freedom in the world can have a delaying effect on confidence and maturity. Yes, there are scout troops with organized activities to promote respect for and competence in nature.

However, they cannot substitute for the spontaneous adventure available in less populous circumstances.Children need the opportunity to test themselves in the world. Freedom and adventure build confidence and competence. They should have the chance to make decisions and learn from them. For our son, Morgan, fly-fishing and fly-tying have provided the arena for local adventure and much more.

The river is a quiet wilderness bordered by trees and wild grape and berry vines where beavers, owls, deer, muskrats and birds seem unaware of the streams of traffic one block away. The river has been a part of Morgan's life because his father has taken him there regularly since before he could walk.

What fly-fishing and tying have added to his life is a more subtle and rare opportunity for growth.They have given him access to the world of adults in a way that few other interests could.He has experienced the encouragement, interest, and approval of a wide range of people for his art work, fly-tying, knowledge of insect and fishlike cycles.

How many chances do young people have to contribute on equal footing, with adults?It can be an exhilarating and maturational experience. No doubt, fly-fishers are an exceptional breed of individuals and committed to encouraging young people. As the parent of one, I am thrilled to see my son given the chance to develop public confidence for attributes and activities which have long been private pursuits...a different freedom, growth, and adventure.

This article was provided by the Federation of Fly Fishers. Visit their site for more articles and information about fly fishing. The Federation of Fly Fishers is a unique non-profit organization concerned with sport fishing and fisheries.