You, the die-hard fisherman, you live to fish. Fishing is your time, what you want to do. Some of you find that when the kids move out, your fishing addiction has alienated you from family. You and your spouse have nothing in common. Don't let this happen. This does not have to be your fate.
Change your attitude, get excited about your family catching a fish, make it about them. Your enthusiasm will be contagious. Some of us fishermen have a lot of mending to do in the relationship before your family will believe you want to see them fish. It may mean compromise, take a rod for everyone in the family except yourself for the first few times. Let them catch the trill and excitement, a great time on the water with you as the "cheerleader."
Do not worry, you will not be bored out there, if you are, you missed the boat. Between your spouse and the kids, you will be busy instructing them how to catch, land, and handle fish. Which species are which, hatchery or native, make sure to weigh and measure, keeping notes, taking pictures and sharing all the activities. As the expert, your experience will be paramount.
Remember, how you act and your encouragement will be incentive enough to keep the family focused on fishing. Children want to be apart of your life, and fishing is your life.
Wait, you prioritized fishing so much that your spouse won't even let you mention fishing? To your spouse, fishing is the "other woman," prioritized over her, she has become the fishing widow. They wonder where they are in your life, and how important they are to you - compared to fishing. Everyone has laughed at the commercial with the wife trying to destroy the fishing rod. Unfortunately, this is how some families feel, like they are second to the rod.
It is never to late to do the right thing. What does your family want? COMPROMISE! Prioritize the family, emphasis on the family as a unit, "We can do what you want, and I want us to go fishing together." You might have to go out to dinner more, or to the movies more, overall you will have more opportunities to fish. At our home, we say,"The family the fishes together, stays together."
Remember, if you want more time to fish, and family "events" are getting in the way, change! Make family fishing derbies, family BBQ's and camping in prime fishing waters. Take a cooler filled with food, a frisbee, football, and a deck of cards. A blanket for the family to lounge on, bubbles for the little ones. An inflatable boat can be entertain for hours. Fish only at the best fishing times, and spend more time with the family. They want to go boating, get a fishing boat, limit fishing to the "best" times of the day, make the rest of the day about the family. When you fish, fish with the family, excited for them to catch fish, so your family will get hooked on fishing!
