By Paul Lebowitz

The lake was modest, only a few acres, and the stocked trout held proudly by my grinning son didn’t outstretch a ruler.

James had been zipping around on a Hobie pedal kayak, having too much of a good time to stop and fish. Then I’d hooked the trout. Moments later the rod was in his hands, face cutely scrunched in concentration.

I netted his small trophy after a short fight. The kid was thrilled, all four and a half feet of him puffed up. I was happy too, but for a different reason. He hadn’t touched his portable game player since the start of our summer Sierra vacation.

James isn’t unique. In my experience most kids don’t care whether they’re ‘battling’ put-and-take trout or hooking one tiny panfish after the other. If they’re catching, they’re having fun – and we are making memories built to last. Click to read the rest at Canoe and Kayak Online

SPOTTED SUCCESS – As long as they are catching fish, young kayak anglers are happy kayak anglers. At first, stick to the small water and go where hook-ups are common: a panfish-choked lake, a well-stocked trout pond, or one of Southern California's fish-filled bays. PHOTO COURTESY KAYAK4FISH.COM