Who taught you to fish?

[bogwalker]

A man who lived down the street invited me to go fishing with him after my father passed away. I was about 8 years old at the time. We fished together for many years. He introduced me to a lifetime of enjoyment of the outdoors. He was a good man and a good friend.

[Fred_Bear]

My dad started me fishing. He always brought me with him and his buddies as he says, "once I was out of diapers". I don't remember when I started fishing, but then again I don't remember when I stopped using diapers and the two went hand in hand for me. I'd say I'm pretty lucky.

[JeffB]

Dad and Grandpa, I sure would like one day back in the boat with them. Its been over twenty years since I've had that pleasure, and didn't appreciate it enough at the time. Lost them when I was 19 at the age I was wanting to go fishing with my friends intead of with them. At least it taught me to enjoy the time I can with my kids.

[walleyeaddict]

I was also started on the addiction by my dad at a very young age.....2 or 3! Never realized how important those fishing memories would become to me. He passed away when I was 10 leaving me to finish honing skills alone for the last 20 years. I don't know where I would be with out this gift he gave me and for that I am very thankful....what I wouldn't give to take the old man out today.....really miss him this time of year!

[gardn184]

I started fishing with my dad and grandpa at a very young age, not sure how old but i know it was too young to hold a rod ha ha. I love returning the favor to them both and taking them out in the summer now that I'm the one who's always on the fish Going to take my grandpa out in a sleep shack this winter he's 85 years old so any chance or method of getting him on the water is always a blast, and the thing is he still slaughters walleyes when he comes, must be my good luck charm

[Jim Jensen]

I don’t remember who taught me to fish. I am guessing I taught myself with a lot of advice from various people along the way. I can remember fishing when I was probably seven years old standing on a dock catching Sunfish on bare gold hooks because I ran out of worms.

I can tell you what first came to mind when I read “who taught you to fish?”. I had a trailer on lake in southern part of the state for the last eleven years, I spent every weekend I could there. Since my trailer was right on the shore I could watch the kids fishing on the docks. When ever I would see a kid catch a bullhead I would walk out to them and take them off the hook for them. I have seen a lot of bullheads get stomped, kicked, or shook until they came off the hook. One day I was watching A kid fishing while talking to a couple of adults. He hooked a bullhead and brought it up to the dock. Watching the adults it didn’t seem like they were to interested in unhooking the bullhead so I headed down the dock. Just as I got to the kid he reached down grabbed the bullhead and removed it from the hook like he had done it a thousand times. The adults commented on his ability to handle the bullhead so well. He said to them “do you know who taught me to unhook a bullhead?” they replied no, he looked up, smiled at me and said “this man right here”. Now I have no idea what this kid’s name was and probably wouldn’t recognize him if I ever saw him again but he will always remember the guy at the lake that taught him how to unhook a bullhead. I know unhooking a bullhead without getting stuck by a fin is no great feat but it made me feel good that I had given this kid a little knowledge and a fishing memory. I hope he will be able to pass it on many times in his life.

[mr_jman]

I'll give the credit to my dad for taking me out first. He farmed while I was growing up so we didn't really go much and never owned a boat. We did however have a cabin on Lower Hay Lake north of Brainerd and when we went on vacation my dad rented a boat and bought me and my brother each a Zebco rod!

My dad also took us ice fishing a few times usually when one of his brothers (my uncle) would be out and we could just use his house and his holes. We didn't have anything but jig sticks and a hand auger. I always loved to fish and would get my mom to drive us to one of the lakes and me and my brother would fish all day sometimes off the dock or shore.

Going to college in Ely and meeting some of my closest friends is where it really kicked in for me though. Ice Fishing especially with a really good friend of mine who grew up in Osakis. After seeing him pull in fish after fish from a hole about 2 feet away, I knew I had to get better because I loved to go but never saw someone do so well! I then moved to finish school in Bemidji and the boss and now good friend, I worked for fishes ALL TIME TIME so he took me out and showed me some great lakes and spots and got me hooked on trolling for walleyes... Now I spend many days and evening trolling as well.

Since then (5/6 years ago now) I have really been hooked and now have an older 16' Crestliner boat with modifications for summer, and about every piece of ice fishing equipment there is. I figure I get out about 50 - 75 days a year.

I can't thank my dad and friends enough.

[Reynolds]

For the most part, I taught myself. I didn't really fish much until six years ago. I remember thumbing through the Star Tribune classifieds ads when I noticed an 8x16 fish house for sale on Mille Lacs Lake. I thought to myself, that could be a lot of fun. That was the best money I ever spent. Buying that house really turned me on to not only ice fishing, but to spending more time outdoors. I live for ice fishing these days. There is nothing more that I love than fishing out of the portable with my folks, brother-in-laws, and friends. My interest in fishing, has had a trickle down effect on others around me. I am looking forward to getting my grandpa and uncle out in the permanent once we have a bit more ice.

I would be remiss if I didn't give some credit to the members of this site also. Thank you all!

[T&KK]

I'll give credit to my dad in the boat. He was a tourny bass fisherman and would take me out when he would practice the lake during the day. I would fish panfish all day long while he fished bass. I remember one time, I hooked a northern on a fly and I was so little I yelled for him to help me. He wouldn't and said I could do it. He turned my seat around becaue I was being pulled to the edge of the boat so I could us it to support me. I fought that thing for what seemed for ever and we didn't have a net so I had to wear it out...... and pop, next thing I knew my dad was knocked off the chair on the bow of the boat from my lead weighted bobber smoking him square between the eyes! He had a headach for 3 straight days! Even broke the bridge of his glasses! Good story to bring up from time to time.

Grandpa for the ice fishing. Dad wouldn't go so it was up to my gramps. He would out fish my cousin and I every time and never in my life did I ever see him sit in a house. He died on my only fishing trip to canada in 93 with my dad, cousin, and grandma, doing what he loved to do!

[Jim Uran]

My dad and my oldest brother started me off as a youngster.

[DaSwede]

My dad got me started fishing in streams in SE MN, bluff country. That's what he did growing up. My ex-bro-in-law is really the one who started taking me out. He needed a fishing buddy, and I became that guy. Even though I think he's a @$&* now, I do have to thank him for lighting the spark.

For me, most of the enjoyment has been discovering things on my own. That's what I've done with pheasant hunting and now ice fishing too. Trial and error. I find the errors as much fun as the accomplishments.

I now own an older fishing boat and just bought a portable, and take/will take my two boys out as much as I can. Hopefully, they will look back on these days just like some of you are doing, and wish for one more day in the boat or on the ice with me! That's my hope anyway!

[KTapper]

I pretty much taught my self, and help from learning from people I have met along the way, and also from the internet. When I was a kid my dad taught me how to bobber fish but that was it never ice fishing. I have done a lot of studying and learning the past few years and its amazing I get better and better every year. Also Ice fishing is my favorite! but openwater trolling with planers and fishing pool 4 in the spring and fall have places in my heart.

[njpierz]

Woody from Grand Rapids American Legion taught me everything I know. Hands down the best on-shore guiding experience anywhere!

[jigging-matt]

My dad and Grandpa taught me to fish. I have to give credit to my neighbor and a friend from work for teaching me how to Ice fish though. I fish some during the "nice months", but nothing compared to what I do during the "good" months of ice.

[jeffreyd]

my dad and grandfather taught me. my grandparents owned a cabin on Lake Poinsett SD as long as i can remember. I would spend my summers up there, would take the row boat out, they tied a 100ft rope to the bow and to the dock so that was our limit. i can remember catching crappie faster than you could put them in the basket. those were the days.

[paceman]

I sort of got started on my own. My pops loved going to auction sales. He was always coming home with boxes of junk. One time he came home with an old tackle box full of goodies. I bought a cheep rodd/reel and walked down to a local lake. Caught a few fish and have been hooked ever since. I was really stoked when he came home with an old boat he bought for like 5 bucks...

[waterbound]

My dad was the one who started me fishing. I don't know when that was, but it was before I can remember. The first trip I really remember was going to Mille Lacs or Leech for the Opener because Kabetogama was still frozen over in '96. I sure appreciate being given the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors.

[CRAZYEYES]

Mostly my Grandpa. My grandpa owned a resort and was a fishing and hunting guide on Kabetogama and rainy lake for over 35 years. I was pretty lucky beacuase I was 1 of only 2 grandsons and the oldest grandson by a longshot so when he retired from guiding when I was about 7 and I got to do a lot of fishing and hunting with him. He took me on trips all over the place and taught me a lot about the outdoors.

[deadeye]

My Grandma took me fishing the first time that I can remember. After that I went with my Dad and my Grandpas. I did spend a lot of time fishing by myself to so I would like to think I figured out a lot of it by myself too.

Ice fishing, I went the first time with scouts. After that my Dad and I made several attempts at it before we finally caught fish. Once I had the proper gear it was over for the fish though .

[thedeadsea]

My dad taught me. After he passed away when I was 20 I became friends with a couple of guys who were quite a bit older than I was and learned quite a bit from them. Picked up LOTS of tips from guides and other experienced guys I have fished with over the years. The school of hard knocks and good old trial and error have been excellent teachers for me as well.

[ROOOOSTERFISH]

My dad started me when I was vary little. I still to this day when I visit my mom look at the black and white pictures of me holding fish standing next to him. Amazing how times have changed in how you can capture memories now compared to then. I would have loved to have some of our fishing expeditions to Ottertail lake caught on tape to watch now that he is passed away.

I now take my kids fishing and try to caputure everything that I possibly can so that they can watch it when they get older.

[gurkster]

I will give credit to my dad and grandpa. I have been fishing and hunting since I was very young. I couldn't imagine life without it. Now I get to return the favor. My kids have all been fishing and I know they will not remeber their first time as they were started so young. All but my 1 year old has been hunting with me too. My 8 year old daughter (the oldest) just got her first squirrel this year, what goes around comes around.

[Laska]

my grandpa ever since I could hold a pole...

[bassfshin24]

My dad started me fishing when i was really young. He has fished bass his whole life and was a guide down in florida on lake toho and other surrounding lakes. he was an amazing fisherman and taught me a lot. He passed away 3 years ago on Dec 27th, only 58 years old. He left his Triton boat for me and my brother and every time im out fishin it brings back some amazing memories. Fishing will always be special to me because of the countless trips with my dad.

[walleyeslammer]

My dad was responsible for getting me interested in fishing because he took me when I was young. He taught me patience and the love of just being outside. As far as teaching me to fish, I would say, magazines, the forum, and most of all experience has taught me to fish. Now I normally take dad out and try and put him on some fish. I figure it's the least I can do for him taking me out as a little boy.