Our friends at Blanco Honky were kind enough to include a pic of the finfollower rig. While not the top-of-the line way-too-expensive vehicle you were probably expecting, this vee-dub with over 100k miles drives over snow, sand, rocks and mud to deliver us to a number of destinations.
Member Trips
Penns Creek Checklist
This weekend I’m heading to Penns Creek with my friend Patrick for 3 days of fishing.
Since it is a 5-6 hour drive into the middle of rural Pennsylvania, I’m planning on packing the following items for the stream: rods, reels, boots, waders, hat with built-in light, sunglasses, magnifiers, vest, an assortment of flies, tippet, extra leaders, strike indicators, split shot, pliers, nippers, floatant, cameras, bug repellent and sunblock.
We were able to find an inexpensive cabin in Coburn, so no camping gear for this trip. I’m packing extra clothes, sleeping bag, towel, toiletries, beverages, trash bags, paper towels, coffee, water and power bars.
What do you take on your out-of-town trips?
Future Trophies
The next few photos are all early spring prizes. Not because of their girth, length or overall size, but rather for the way that they were caught or the way that they fought.
Some were netted quickly, while others spooled the reel, taking line effortlessly, refusing to be retrieved until fatigued by a bowed rod and taut line.
A few were found in lakes and ponds, some in large rivers, and others in the small no-name locations discovered only by wandering through dense woods, soft muddy marshes, and small unrecognizable trails.
All were released without incident to grow into future trophies. Enjoy!
Fishing Derby
Started spreading mulch Saturday morning, only to have the skies open up and start pouring within less than an hour. Instead of enduring a solid drenching in the name of lawn improvement, I covered the mulch with a tarp and went inside.
My 9-year old daughter asked about going to the local fishing derby. Although the rain had stopped, the weather was marginal at best. Undeterred, I grabbed my bream spinning rod, bought some worms at the local convenience store, and the two of us headed to the derby.
Somewhat to our surprise, there were only 3 or 4 families standing around the designated pond. This was a different experience from the usual, where I am shoulder to shoulder with other moms and dads, trying to convince a trout or panfish to take my worm instead of the 30 or so other options out there. A few other families showed up over time, but there was always plenty of room for everyone.
Luck was definitely with us. Over the next 2½ hours my daughter caught 22 panfish and perch. She fished through the rain and the cold (temps in the 40’s), only stopping when she needed new bait (for the record, she would not touch the fish or the worms). At one point I was actually standing over her with an umbrella while she landed fish (she only hooked my raincoat once).
Like any new angler she missed some strikes and had others that did not make it to the shore, but I was impressed that she was willing to work on her technique and by the end of the derby she was landing more fish than she was missing. I could see her casting improve as well as her ability to determine when to set the hook.
When I could no longer see the bottom of the 5 gallon bucket that we were using as a live well, I decided that we had probably caught our limit. She did not want to stop, but when I suggested that we could go look at the prizes and get a burger, she acquiesced.
I brought the bucket over and showed the judges, then released the fish back into the pond. She won the prize for the Most Fish Caught – a Cabelas light tackle spinning rod and reel along with a small tackle box consisting of rubber worms, bobbers and split shot. Not a bad prize – definitely better than the rig she was using.
Later in the day I returned to the mulch. She asked if I would help set up her new rig for some lawn casting. I happily obliged, and she was soon out on the front lawn preparing for her next derby.
Fishing With Kids
Today my wife and I took our daughters to a local park for some outdoor family time. Close by is a small pond of a few acres that is loaded with bream, bass and crappie.
While the kids were exploring the playground, I assembled the 4 wt that I keep in the back of my car for emergencies and tied on a small yellow popper.
My oldest daughter, who recently turned 9, came over and asked if she could fish with me. Last summer I spent some time teaching her how to use a fly rod. She now knows the basics and enjoys catching fish.
I sent the line out a few yards and hooked a nice bream. Once the hook was set, I turned it over to her. She took the rod, and with some gentle guidance, kept the rod tip bent and the line taut while she landed the fish. The picture below tells the story – just look at the smile on her face.
Upon seeing her sister’s success, my soon-to-be 5-year old also asked for the opportunity to catch her own fish. Once again I cast out into the pond, and once again the popper was met with an aggressive tug by a bream. I set the hook and asked my youngest daughter to hold the rod and gently turn the reel. I kept the rod tip low and bent, and soon the bream arrived on shore.
Angling, particularly fly fishing, is often referred to as a solitary sport. While this may be true, it can also offer a great opportunity to spend some time with your family and make some great memories.
Teaching kids to fish does require patience, but the payoff is in the smiles and their continued interest in sharing experiences such as this one.
I recently saw a commercial with the tagline “Don’t let your child be the one that got away.” Make some time this year to get out and fish with your family.