My first memories of my son (31 now) and fish, I say fish because it wasn?t fishing, was at about 18 months old, in his pushchair and having roach shoals and pike pointed out to him on the local reservoir.
When he got older he fished with me until about 15, then found football, girls, clubs, drinking????and the like.
He?s never fished since, or taken much interest in the natural world around him, until recently. Then I get a phone call from him telling me about a type of bird he?s seen whilst out for a walk. ? You walk I said? I thought you had a sports turbo set of wheels permanently attached to your as**! Yeah! I?ve been doing a fair bit of walking along the Nene Valley of late, fish spotting and birdwatching. Jaw drops open at the other end of phone, and I?m lost for words for a few seconds. Usual sarcasm from him, then he says you?ll have to come down and have a look for yourself soon! Dumfounded again, ?what you?re inviting me down?? ?Yes!? ?Bloody hell miracles do happen then,? I retort. More sarcasm. To cut along story short I went down and had a thoroughly good time birdwatching at Rutland, and fish spotting on the Nene Valley with him.
Yet to get him out fishing again, but I guess it a work in progress. So as has been said, savour every moment because if you loss them from fishing and an interest in the natural environment, it might be many years before you get them back to it.
I?d tell him that I?m proud of him and the interest he?s now taking, but he?ll only extract the urine, so best if I don?t.