[woodwalker]

I went to visit my Aunt and Uncle in Tennessee last month, and while at the Bass Pro shop up there, I picked up one of those trout fly-tying kits, as well as some other stuff that I thought would be useful, including a book (the kit came with a DVD, but it wasn't as helpful as the book.) Then my twelve-year old cousin wanted one, too. He ended up getting one, as well as the book that I got, but in over a month has tyed ONE fly. A black beetle. the one with a peacock herl body and black deer-tail shell. He has yet to read the book.

I sat down with him today and tied some with him, but it was all in one ear and out the other. he couldn't remember how to tie in, or even what it meant. I basically had to walk him through EVERY part of the process, EVERY time.

I don't want to give up on him, but is there some easier way to do this? I have been known to forget important things when I teach people things, but I am positive that I did not this time.

[jimw]

I would try taking him fishing. Catching a fish on a fly I tied thats what got me hooked.
Jim

[woodwalker]

He has shown NO intrest in fishing at all, though. When his mom asked him why he wanted to tie flies, he had NO answer. he doesn't want to fish at all, he isn't going to want to learn to cast with a fly-rod, and doesn't want to put the time in to make a good fly.

In other words, I think that he doesn't have any business spending the money that he has on this hobby that he isn't willing to put in the time to do with any amount of zeal.

[HuronRiverDan]

And...there is your answer. He saw you tie and thought cool....Kids seem to want to try something; then if it requires a little work they say the heck with it. Don't push him if he isn't willing; it will just be an exercise in frustration for you.

Dan

[Lambster]

I teach fly tying here in Georgia and have found out that certain ages take longer to show interests in sports then others....... fly Tying is a tougher sport or Art that takes alot of pateints with young folks.... never force a child to do something that looks easy to us as a parent, they become dismayed but keep working with them on flyfishing and casting this will boost their interest and then later down the road of life they then may want to tie flies. My son never showed any interest in fishing but now my daughter loves to Driftboat down the river and flyfish with her Dad and that makes me feel pretty good but she dosn't show yet she wants to tie flies....... Don't give up hope! Have you watched the ( River Runs Through it ) ? its a great show for the kids to watch! Godbless! Tight lines!

Lambster
GeorgiaFlyGuide

[GeorgeMcFly]

hate to say it and break your heart but sounds like he isn't interested in it at all and of course we all know that when you are not interested in something you don't even give 2 craps about it. now not to say sometime down the road he might get the flyfish punch in the head and come too . but for now looks like hes a lost cause.......

[crash]

I've been flytying/fishing for about twelve years. My daughter is twelve and a half. She didn't want anything to do with flyfishing but would occassionally sit down with me and tie a few flies ( which I have in a fly box put away). We would go fishing and she would throw here ultralight rod and I would throw my fly rod. I would usually catch more than her. The last time we went she finally asked if she could flyfish too. Made my day. I tried a few times to get her to try but the interest wasn't there. Let the kid decide to do it. don't force it or it won't take. She helps me organize my fly tying desk routinely, make lists of things I want or need, looks for cool flys in catalogs to try to tie etc.etc. Maybe start there.

Good luck,

Gary

[GeorgeMcFly]

more materials for you!

[bigwilf]

Hey don,t take the tools and vice away, leave it with him a couple off years between the years of 13 to 17 I all but gave up fishing. Then (and I coulden,t tell you why) I got back in to it.Mostly because the stuff I needed was avalable.
If I had had to buy it all again I would now be a non-angler.

[MrEsox]

Since I was 12 not toooooo long ago I will put this down. Keep them atttttentive. A 12 year old may be able to do great things but does that one you wish to do those things able to do those great things? Concentration my boy.