Taking the Boy Fishing

One of my New Year's resolutions was to take the Monkey fishing--and that's just what I did this past Saturday.

I hadn't fished since... man, 1987, 1988?  It's been a long time.  Once an avid angler, I simply gave up as a young man since few of my friends and none of my family fished; it simply wasn't a common pastime in suburban Maryland.

I suppose I could've picked up the hobby again in college or earlier in my military career, but the excuses were numerous:  no money, no time, no one else interested... so angling fell off my radar (or depth finder, if you will).

That is, until the Monkey asked to go fishing last year.

The Monkey's 10, about the same age I was when I started dropping lines for panfish.  Memories sure cross time and distance in a flash, don't they?

And now I'm surrounded by folks who hunt, fish, and otherwise enjoy the outdoors.  Folks who've never given it up.  Just listening to 'em plan Elk expeditions at the lunch table builds inspiration.

Then I wrote the wizard series, which got me thinking again about all the fun things I used to do.

(You can revisit the series here:  Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV, Part V)

So one day I sat down, looked the Monkey in the eye, and said, "son, I'll take you fishing this summer!"

We started by hitting the books and mags:  Field and Stream, In-Fisherman, Outdoor Life, Fishing for Dummies, you name it.  It's been so long since I cast a line I figured I'd better start from scratch.

And those odd fishing shows that come on cable?  Yeah, we started watching those on the weekends.

Then three weeks ago, knowing I was going out of town for a month and my fishing time was growing scarce, I called up USAFA's Farish recreation area in the slim hope they'd have a cabin or rent--and wouldn't you know, someone had just canceled, so I scored a weekend roost!

Two weeks ago, I took the boy tackle shopping.  I could've saved money by sharing gear, but I wanted the Monkey to take responsibility and pride with his own kit.  Thus on his own, he picked out a starter tackle box and augmented it with trout-sized hooks, spoons and spinners.  He also passed on the kid's rods and went with an adult ultra-light spinning rod.

And daddy got to be a kid again as I re-outfitted myself after 20 years.  When we settled the bill, the gentleman at the counter said I picked well for someone off the water for so long.

The week leading up to the trip, we organized our gear, learned to tie three different angling knots, and practiced our casts in the backyard.  After a rat's nest or two, we were hitting targets within 2 feet.

Then the big day came:  we packed some clothes, snacks and our gear in the truck, drove 45 minutes to Farish (outside Woodland Park, Co), checked in, and had our lines in the water before 1100.

We didn't catch anything.

Unfortunately, it was a fly fisherman's paradise--all sorts of insects were hitting the water, and the trout had no interest in submerged bait.  The Monkey even cast inside a group of 6 or so trout, which just sat waiting for insects.

All made worse by the kid across the pond who caught his first fish within 5 minutes.

But it didn't matter... the old saying about how it's not the catch, but the getting outside that makes it worth it?  We had a blast!

Plus, his casting was phenomenal:  he'd point out a target and hit it dead center, again and again.  In addition, he had fun just experimenting with different lures and weights, methodically reading the water and his gear to logically decide what might work.

We fished for 4 hours, and even leaving empty handed the Monkey held my hand as we packed up with a huge grin across his face.  All he could talk about was when we'd go again.

And yes, the Hummingbird and Mouse were there, too:  not to fish, but to take pictures, share company, and make fun of the men as needed.  To paraphrase the Hummingbird, she didn't want or need to fish; she just needed the outdoors.

It helped the campground office was covered with hummingbird feeders, around which said birds swarmed like we'd never seen before--just seeing a real hummingbird put a smile on my hummingbird's face!

We celebrated our fishing expedition at a local Barbecue Joint, with the Saturday all-you-can eat beef ribs.  We then read in the cabin for a while, and then I went for an evening walk around the lake--a quiet, thoughtful end to a perfect day.

We got back home around noon yesterday, and both the Monkey and I carefully cleaned, repacked, and stowed our gear.  But he won't have to wait long:  since I'm leaving for a month next Monday--but am off work Thursday through Sunday--I told the Monkey we'll go again this weekend.  Not far, just up to one of the lakes on the USAFA grounds.  Perhaps going the morning of the 4th will be a fitting, patriotic time.

Regardless when, I will take the Monkey fishing again, as I'll take myself fishing again. 

I'm not waiting another 20 years to find the boy inside of me.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Trackposted to Perri Nelson's Website, The Virtuous Republic, third world county, The Random Yak, DragonLady's World, Right Truth, The World According to Carl, Rosemary's News and Ideas, The Pink Flamingo, Democrat=Socialist, Stageleft, and Right Voices, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

Comments

[Perri Nelson]

Sounds like a worthwhile trip. Recapturing lost youth and all that. I'll bet the best part was the time you spent with the Monkey though. I know that's the best part when I drag my kid out to go do things, or when he drags me along.

[Rosemary]

Oh, how I love fishing, oh, how I love early morning rising! Oh how I love my Daddy, oh, how I love teasing my brother! (I had to put the worm on the hook for him. lol) If you couldn't tell, the first part of this comment goes to the tune, 'Oh, How I Love Jesus!' ;) I pray you had a wonderful time. My Daddy used to call me Monkey as well. That brings back memories...Have a wonderful day.

[Tom]

Used to fish a lot, and took my son (when he was younger). Of course he enjoyed it immensely...I baited the hook, and he pulled them in!