Tips for taking your kids fishing and the best family vacations.
May 1, 2003
Great Family Vacations
Nothing will bore the socks off a young, would-be angler faster than a fishing vacation that is all about the fishing. No matter how into the sport your child claims to be, consider destinations that offer plenty of alternatives to angling. Shopping, amusement parks and other attractions will go a long way toward making the experience one that every family member will enjoy.
When the urge to cast a line does present itself, you'll want to be someplace where the fishing is good, meaning a location where it is easy to catch large numbers of fish, regardless of their size. Unless the child you're fishing with is a young adult, avoid the temptation to rough it. Creature comforts are probably your best ally in convincing a neophyte that fishing is a sane, reasonable and enjoyable way to spend time outdoors. Here are three destinations that fill the bill.
Disney World (Orlando, Fla.)
There's just about nothing Disney World lacks to keep kids grinning from reveille to lights-out, and that includes some wonderful bass and panfish
angling. A cadre of friendly, experienced guides operates comfortable
pontoon boats at a number of carefully managed lakes on Disney's property. You can book two-hour excursions for up to five people for about $120-it's a great introduction to angling. The fish, which seem to know they'll get thrown back, practically queue up for the privilege of playing tug-of-war. On a recent trip my guide told me he went five years before getting skunked-and it was the only time it ever happened, he said.
(407-934-7639; www.disney.com)
Temple Bay Lodge (Eagle Lake,
Ontario)
Your kids may not believe you when you tell them that a place as rugged-sounding as "Eagle Lake," way up there north of the border somewhere, is as comfortable as the family-room couch. But you wouldn't be lying.
"It's the Marriott Resort of fishing lodges," says John Mazurkiewicz, who handles communications for Shimano and G. Loomis. "They have great meals and it's very relaxing and comfortable, so you see a lot of families up there. You're not roughing it at all."
Another advantage to Eagle Lake is that it's accessible by car, so you might not have to spend a pile of money on airfare. Better yet, Eagle Lake operates buses out of many major Midwestern cities (Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison, Wisc., and Minneapolis/St. Paul, among others), so you can leave the driving to someone else.
Once you arrive,
superb angling awaits. Smallmouth bass, muskies, pike and walleyes are the predominant game fish. Book a guide for the first day to learn the ropes; after that, you and your family will be ready to catch fish on your own. (800-369-3474; www.templebay.com)
Eldred Preserve (Eldred, N.Y.)
Tucked away in the Catskills, just 90 miles from New York City, Eldred Preserve has a slew of fun activities for everyone in the family. The resort ponds are stocked with trout, catfish and bass. Depending on your mood, you can haul up a trout for dinner (the preserve has catch-and-keep fishing) or tussle with an ornery channel cat, some of which tip the scales at 10 pounds. Non-angling diversions include canoeing, swimming and hiking. Horse lovers in particular will be smitten with the "Trout and Trot" package. Spend day one going after the 'bows, browns and brookies that the preserve stocks, and after a good night's sleep you can ride through the wooded trails that crisscross the area. (800-557-3474; www. eldredpreserveresort.com)
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