Bob acquired a decent rod and reel, plus a tackle box and lures, as prizes from school, and for months, we’ve been talking about asking a male friend or relative to teach him to fish.
We couldn’t figure out who to ask, though, and it so happened that a bait and tackle shop in Falmouth had their sixth annual children’s fishing derby this weekend. So, Grandma volunteered to bring Bob, figuring he’d get some pointers.
The people at the shop couldn’t have been nicer. They showed us how to rig the rod and to tie and bait the hook. They loaded us up with everything we needed, including a knife (this came in very handy), weights, hooks, shiners and night crawlers. They even recommended a good spot, Grew’s Pond in Falmouth.
We practiced casting from the little bathing beach, and a nice young man, aged 12, took an interest in our gear and offered to help. He directed us to a more promising spot, and soon we were pulling sunfish out of the water almost as fast as the bait hit the surface.
Bob was hoping for bass, but settled for a one-pound sunfish that he caught himself. We put it in our bait bucket and brought it back to the shop, more to show them that their good advice paid off.
Recall that we’d made our visit as part of a FISHING DERBY, an event that includes prizes. Out of some 30 kids who had registered, Bob and his sunfish took third place!
We were at the pond at least 2 hours, maybe more. For my two electronic grandkids to enjoy being outside so much is a minor miracle. For them to wade hip-deep in pond water, and not only pick up shiners and night crawlers, but stick them on hooks is major. These are kids who normally panic at the sight of a spider or an ant.
Bob is extremely proud that he caught such a fine fish. We released it afterwards in a pond on the way home, and hope it’s enjoying its new environment. And, obviously, I’m very proud of him; otherwise, why would I blog about him?