There's another vital factor to consider in your encouragement of youngsters into the sport. Outdoor and sporting activities we know to be good for our mental health. Yes it can drive you nuts if you lose a good fish or mistime a cast etc, but these are mere hiccups. I'm sure all of us when we come back from a days's fishing feel invigorated - it's a buzz like nothing else gives me.I accept that kids ( actually any beginner) wants the instant hit of catching....
But as I see it its the responsibility of us older more established anglers to help out.... my lad is happy catching anything, bleak, dace, roach etc
We started off when he was just 4 or 5 just for an hour or so by the river in the summer, this always involved a picnic, us both getting wet and about 20 mins actual fishing....
It's more about getting them out and enjoying the day together..
After about 6 months of literally messing about he became more interested , and you take it from there build up the fishing slowly....my other kids had the same opportunities but didn't really take to it.
Now he is really focused on his fishing and lives and breathes it, tying flies, fishing most days in school holidays etc.. he's even got 3 of his mates into it which is a result.
But I do worry for the future of our sport.......ok I may be grumpy at times on the bank, but I will always try and encourage kids , give them a few flies or generally help them catch a fish.....To me it's vitally important
Sadly, too much emersion in the likes of social media and gaming has a documented harmful effect on your people's mental health. Sometimes tragically so.
Mick