Father/Daughter Day!

[jscott]

What a great day! This tops as one of my best days OTW! Here is the story--- my daughter was out on spring break, and we had been planning our first official father/daughter outing (without Mom) for a while. We planned to go fishing in MDR to see if we can get her first fish...and her first kayak fish!! Praying for good weather-- it looked like a good window! The night before, my daughter was so excited-- just like I am the night before fishing! She helped me rig up and load up the truck. (Even helped to tie the "lucky" rapala!!) The day had finally come-- she woke up early-- and I wanted to sleep some more. We ate breakfast and headed out the door. Left the house at 9am...after traffic...finally got there about 10am. Rigged up and parked (oops...did not have exact change-$3- for the machine-- ran around and got change from like 3 different people, but finally got it taken care of!) Then ready to launch-- got a BEFORE PICTURE.

Then we paddle out....trolling 2 lures-- one rapala and one castmaster carolina rigged with a tiny sliding sinker for a deeper presentation. After about 45 minutes we hook up! First fish-- she is nervous and has me fight it. I bring it to the boat...and pass the rod to her so she can be used to handling the rod with the fish on it. Next fish comes about 15 minutes later-- I give her the rod and she fights it all by herself and brings it to the boat!! We hook another 3 barries-- losing one but landing two more. She fights them all herself!! Awesome to see the smile on her face!
Here she is concentrating fighting a fish...

Here she is with a barry on the line...

Here at the end of the day...happy fishergirl!

I have just earned the best fishing partner for life!!
Take your kid fishing...it is the best!