This is another Wisconsin post.
I’m happy that my daughter, despite her girly-girl side, still enjoys getting her nature on. We’ve fished before, and she’s caught her own, but this is the first time that she’s actively fished for an extended period without regular intervention. And she was quite successful at it, too.
After the first day, the bluegills started swarming the dock, which made the fishing instantly gratifying–something which might have influenced her prolonged interest.
However, I was more interested in trying to catch a bass. So after I de-hooked her 100th bluegill, I noticed a smallmouth bass near the shoreline. I pointed it out, and told her what it was. In a jokingly dad moment, I asked if she wanted me to catch it for her, and she agreed, so I took her pole and gently completed a perfect cast just in front of the fish. The bass swam over and immediately took the bait, and I pulled it in. It was a perfect setup that momentarily restored her belief in the magical powers of dad. Here it is:
Ultimately, I had to concede ownership of the fish though, as I was advised since I used her pole, it was her fish.
But the fishing was not without its casualties. I noticed her reel wasn’t working so well anymore, so I took it apart:
I wonder if Zebco has some military background. I disassembled the reel in the field with just a knife.
Even so, I would say this was a successful fishing trip.
–Simon