4 Consider their age. Most children don't have the coor- dination to cast a rod of any kind before about 4-years-old. At that age, they can hold it and watch a bobber. By 6 or 7, most can cast a spinning rod by themselves, reel in and cast again. By 8, they might begin handling a fly rod with enough coordination to hook a fish. Lily is a case in point. Her dad's spinning rod was too much for her to handle. In addition to her young age, it was her first time. Those few kindergarteners who can cast a spinning rod likely started fishing younger than that with easier tackle, then progressed through experience and mentoring. Practicing casting before you get on the water can help to reduce learning time and increase time fishing. Jack Ballard teaches his 8-year-old daughter, Zoe, to cast a fly rod. Kids younger than that are more likely to have success with a spinning rod. (Photo by Dominic Ballard) Wyoming Wildlife | 41