Kids need preparation

The recipe for teaching a little person to fish includes one dash of angling technique, two or three tablespoons of gear, and several cups of patience.

Here are the other key ingredients and tips for putting it all together.

1. Tackle: Size the rod and reel to the child. Make sure tackle is rigged and tangle free BEFORE the trip.

2. Clothing: The No. 1 fun killer on opening day is being under-dressed for the chilly spring weather. Also, bring a change of clothes, just in case.

3. Bait: Yes, for safety’s sake and because of the yuck factor, the adult may have to handle the protein. Use worms or PowerBait.

4. Food: Never, ever, forget the snacks and drinks. Better bring some wet wipes to cleanse face and fingers before and after snacks and hook baiting.

5. Camera: Fishing is all about making and preserving memories. If your camera has a built-in flash use it even in bright sunlight to eliminate shadows.

6. Life jacket: In a boat, youngsters are required to wear a life jacket. That’s the law. On the bank or dock, they should wear one, too. That’s common sense.

7. Sunscreen: Bring it. Use it. On the water, the sun can do double the damage because harmful rays not only come from above, they are also reflected from the water.

8. Insect repellent: More important later in the season. Biting bugs suck.

9. Licenses: Kids under 14 or so generally don’t need licenses for trout or panfish, but adults do. At Washington Fish and Wildlife Department public access sites, you’ll need to display the vehicle parking permit that comes free with your license.

10. Location: Fish close to home. That’s the rule of thumb dictated by the generation whose favorite phrases include “Are we there yet?” and “When are we going home?”

11. Timing: Let the young angler decide when enough is enough. If anything, it’s better to quit before alarm bells ring. That keeps desire in the bank for the next fishing trip.

12. Patience: Three or more level cups of this vital ingredient are critical to a successful fishing trip and the creation of a new fishing partner.