Written by W. Brooks Paternotte
No distractions.
Painting courtesy of Michael Meyer.
[dropcap]I[/dropcap]f you are anything like me, you have found that the gift of children does not always translate into more time on the water chasing your favorite species. So here are a few ideas that may help keep you angling while also maintaining domestic peace.
First, always plan ahead and prepare. If you are taking a personal trip, even just for a day, be certain to make it as easy as possible for everyone you are leaving behind. I often arrange for extra babysitters, leave cash to order pizza, or solicit help from the children’s grandparents. This step is as important to having a great trip as checking your leaders, sharpening hooks, or packing raingear. A charter captain I know always lets his wife know when he is safely off of the water by texting “OTWS” when he pulls up to the dock; not a bad idea either.
If I am away for more than a day trip, it is always wise check in with home every 24 hours; just be certain to see how things are going at home before launching into a monologue on how great the fishing is, how beautiful the water, or what a great night’s sleep you got.
Fishing with family.
Artwork courtesy of Michael Meyer.
I recently made my now annual pilgrimage to Montauk, NY for the fall blitz. In planning for the trip, I let my wife know months in advance that I was going – it didn’t hurt that I was also fishing with my son’s godfather. This is my next point: if you are going to leave the family to fish, you better do it with only the closest of friends or relatives. I learned this tactic from my grandfather. He has spent the last seventy years balancing his passion for hunting and fishing with his career and familial relationships. He always consults with my wife before asking me to spend a weekend duck hunting or a week salmon fishing. She simply can’t say no to his plea to take his grandson on one more adventure.
If your spouse is game, it is great to bring them along on occasion for a couple reasons. First, it shows her what you are up to when you are gone; and second, it provides a shared experience and time away from the children to relax and recharge. My grandfather recognized this as well and included my grandmother on at least one of his trips each year. I have had the good fortune of traveling with them both and can say with confidence that it only strengthened their relationship. It also helped that my grandmother is an exceptionally talented (and at times maddeningly lucky) angler!
Crappie are a ton of fun with kids.
What if getting away on your own or with other adults is not an option? Then the answer is simple: take the kids with you. Each time I take one or both of my children on the water I learn better ways to manage the situation. Keeping them interested is the key. I would strongly discourage you from taking a child fishing where there will be challenging weather conditions, the expectation of stealth, or skittish and uncooperative fish. Pick a beautiful day when you can take them to a pond for bluegills; debarb every hook; and set aside any aspirations of wetting a line yourself.
Usually before I go to the pond I stop at the tackle shop and allow each of the kids to pick out a new lure. It keeps them interested, gives them ownership, and teaches them some lessons on taking care of their equipment. A funny aside – my son once picked the most hideous, flashy thing I have ever seen. I swore to myself that it would only scare a fish to death not actually catch one; but little did I know. My son insisted on using it and with promptly caught a three pound largemouth on it. Who knew?
Good times.
Photo by W. B. Paternotte
The trip to the local pond does not have to be an expedition; stay in tune with the children’s attention span. It may be very short. I find that even after catching a few fish with mine who are 3 and 5, it is time to find something else to do. Often this is the time when my son finds a pile of rocks and starts testing his throwing arm. Most of us cringe when we see that first rock hit the water and imagine every fish within a hectare taking off for a safe hiding spot, but not me anymore. I just know it is all part of going fishing with kids.
Be sure to check out more of Brooks Paternotte’s FLM stories and more of Michael Meyer’s paintings at his page on facebook.
