You Want Some Fun?! Take Your Granddaughters Fishing!
Steve Ellis
The 3 girls (ages 9, 11, and 12) getting ready to launch the boat.
So, Sandy and I started this little “tradition” a couple of years ago, where we take the granddaughters up to our cabin in Iron County for a few days of fishing, swimming, and exploring the northwoods. All of the kids are up there often, but this is just for the girls.
For me, it adds a dimension to the activities I already love, that just makes it better.
The expression “Girls Rule!” is the watchword for the adventure, and it is pure pleasure to let them show me what they can do.
We started out last Friday evening with low clouds, drizzle, and unpleasantly cool weather. However we only had a few days to do everything they wanted, so we were off to our secret Northern Pike lake to see what would happen.
Turns out, not much, but Sophie did catch one, which shook off the hook while I was holding it up by the line for a picture.
They had a few strikes, but the fish were hitting so light that they couldn’t keep them on long enough to get them into the boat.
Still, we filled that square, and it was neat to see them pitch in with all that it takes to get a small boat into that little lake.
We lift the boat into the back of the pickup, load a trolling motor and small battery for locomotion, take the oars for backup, and then all the gear for fishing. Lifejackets, poles tackle boxes, and net. Then we have to unload it all, get it all into the water and finally, we can first start fishing.
This all goes very smooth because they just know they can do it, and after all “Girls Rule!”.
Casting for Northern Pike in bad weather on the secret lake.
The next day, Saturday, the weather changed for the better and we headed out to the Gile Flowage to fish for whatever would bite, and eat a few of them for a good shore lunch.
The whole day was a gift from heaven. The sky was blue, it was about 75 degrees, there was a nice breeze to keep the boat drifting, and the fish were biting good enough to keep us all happy and get enough for the frying pan.
Getting ready to shove off….
Bombing out to the hot spots!
12 year old Hannah with a nice smallie.
9 year old Sophie with her walleye addition to the shore lunch.
Unexpectedly, we found a surprise of wild blueberries on “shore lunch Island”. Those came home with us and went on ice cream later that night. Probably the best ever!
Homemade onion rings, and fried potatoes make a great side for the fish, which went on next.
Alright! Could it get any better?
After lunch, a refreshing swim from shore lunch Island to the next one over.
That pretty much took care of Saturday, and we went back to the cabin for some pictionary and a good night sleep.
Sunday broke with another cold, rainy day, so, Sandy and I sat around the cabin while the girls went outside with an IPAD and made a movie for themselves. To tell the truth, I’m not sure what it was about, but I know it involved a lot of paddle boat work. In the evening the weather improved and the kids stayed out and tried to make a home made slip and slide out of tarps on the hill. It actually didn’t work that well, but the diligence that went into the project made it a worthwhile activity.
On Monday, it was “going home” day.
That’s always a drag, but we stopped at Paul Bunyun’s for a great breakfast, and then we hit the Musky Shop, in Minoqua, for a new bait each. We’ll see how they work next year.
So, if you ask me, that’s how you have a lot of fun. TAKE YOUR GRANDDAUGHTERS FISHING!