Many adults seem to think that teaching kids how to fly fish is a complicated, stressful affair. In reality, it is no more difficult to provide the basic skills of fly casting than it is to show them how to plunk a worm without tangling lines. Even adults that are old hands at all types of fishing still experience the odd crows nest. It seems that some days, I am forever undoing knots in my leader.

Several years ago, I volunteered to provide an information session on rod building for a Young Angler's Club at a local school. These clubs, or 'YACs' as they have become known, were founded by Outdoor Canada Magazine with the purpose of promoting sport angling among youth. A great deal of credit must go to the teacher volunteers of these clubs.

While talking with the kids, I was impressed by the amount of interest in fly fishing. Some of the kids were very knowledgeable about entomology, matching hatches, casting, and several kids had brought along flies that they had tied themselves. With just a little bit of guidance, these kids could become very proficient tiers and fly anglers.