best gift

cureless · 12-26-2001, 10:58 AM

Took my 11 year old son out to the Wilson on Monday. Promised my wife we would be off the water by noon. Because of the ice and a failed attempt to get the fishing spot I wanted we didnt get fishing to close to ten.

He kept telling me it didnt matter if he caught fish that it was just cool fishing on Christmas eve day with his dad.

He was working both rods up front setting them to the propper length etc.. When one of the rods went off just as another boat passed by us. Everyone was watching including myself to see what he would do.

He gave a clinic and handled it perfectly and was able to hook,catch and release his first Steelhead ever. How fitting to have to release your first Steelhead ever, he didnt bat an eye didnt mind it at all.

Im not sure about this post, but Im just as proud as could be and this will rate as one of my best Christmases ever.

I wish everyone on ifish a Happy New Year and thanks for all the good fun and advice.

Jennie@ifish · 12-26-2001, 03:18 PM

Way to go! I love these kid success stories!
Jen :grin: :grin:

MicroFish · 12-26-2001, 09:50 PM

OK---here's my kid's success story. He just turned 38 in Oct. and he's never had a job that
he loved that didn't pay starvation wages. A few
months ago he was appointed to the faculty of Indiana University as "Program Coordinator/IU Outdoor Adventures and Director of Operations/Wilderness Education Association.
He told me he absolutely loves his job.
He has, for the past several years, guided IU students on kayak/camping trips through a portion of the Everglades (40-50 miles, as I recall).
I guess the University liked him pretty well to name him to that post. :smile:

First Bite · 12-26-2001, 10:00 PM

I'm hoping to get my son into his first steelhead this winter. I've handed the rod off to him several times but he hasn't got to do it all by himself...yet. Maybe this weekend.

Mark

NAUTI-NOTIONS · 12-26-2001, 11:24 PM

Thats really cool, My 11 year old caught his first metalhead last month. it was a bonker, so we ate it, which in turn was also cool to have granpa over for the feast. either way just being there for those kind of things make being a dad so great.

Firedog · 12-26-2001, 11:34 PM

Sounds like a great day to me. Nothing wrong with letting that first Steelhead go, I did with mine almost 30 years ago when I was 5. Looking back it is a great memory. I am sure it will be for your son also, my best fishing memories are times spent with my Dad whether we caught fish or not.

Uncle Bob · 12-27-2001, 02:46 AM

Bobber & jig is the way to go.
It's SSSSOOOOO EEEEEZZZZ :smile:

UB

[ 12-27-2001: Message edited by: Uncle Bob ]</p>