So here we are the summer is almost over and the kids are getting ready to go back to school. Most parents are ecstatic about the prospect of the kids being back in school. I don't know that I am all that eager for them to return. First of all I remember what it was like for the summer to be coming to an end. The staying up later than normal and sleeping later than we should. The running around playing and doing generally nothing that wasn't for our own personal entertainment is done. It's time to get back to school work. Homework on a consistent basis..... regularly scheduled bed times and a routine...... not what I ever looked forward too.
I would get excited about the new school stuff and starting fresh but it was always a slow start for me. Summer was one of the best times of the year for me and it was a whirl wind of activity. I remember getting up and going fishing sometimes just me and a couple of friends. Taking motor oil paddle tail worms and wade fishing Lake Jackson. Walking right in to the bull rushes to drop the worm nearly on top of a fishes head, super good days indeed.
The last week I have taken the boys fishing a couple of times. To spend a little time outdoors and to catch some fish. Fortunately the fish did cooperate and we had a pretty great time. The interesting thing is I watched both boys fish with the same intensity that they have when playing video games on the Wii, or any other game they may play. It was very fun to watch and see the looks on their faces as it paid off with the actual catching of a fish. Go figure virtual reality gaming (only actual reality) boy pitted against fish... trying to find the spot.... get the right bait and be faster than the fish when it comes time to yank on the rod.
You don't have to have a boat to enjoy this.... there are many places around Highlands County that will allow you to fish with out a boat. If you don't know where to go ask me and I will let you know. The second trip we went on was to Fish Eating Creek. I spent many a day fishing down there when I was young and camping long before it was state run. The good news is it is state run and still available for day use or camping and many of you may know this but you can launch a boat or rent a canoe there if you would like. Lots of good times in the good old days happened there. Some times we would just go and fish under the bridge that crosses Fish Eating creek on Highway 27. We never had a boat when I was a kid so we learned to fish wading and from the bank both very rewarding methods.
I got off work Friday morning and I had my wife get the boys up early so I could pick them up around eight a.m. (that is when I get off work after working overnight) We loaded up the truck with our tackle and some goodies that the wife had made for us and headed south. It takes about 30 minutes to get there and there is a small day use fee but well worth it. The rest was loads of fun exploring the bank and finding ways to catch fish. All in all it was a successful day. Here are a few pics of the ones that didn't get away.
Nice little Channel Catfish that he caught near a bush on the creek
Here is a nice little warmouth that was caught right next to a cypress stump on a live cricket
There were many bluegill caught that day.
We had an unexpected visitor while we were fishing. You can see the little bump... its a gator. He watched us for about 10 minutes until he figured out we were not intimidated by him nor where we going to give him any fish ( we caught and released everything that day ) He was about 5 feet long and finally puffed up and showed off his size as gators will do and swam away slowly. The kids had a blast watching him and agreed that they would really love to hunt gators. So next year we will be applying for a gator permit to see if we can make that happen.
It was hot, but there were no complaints the boys enjoyed exploring the bank and looking for the next place to drown a few crickets or worms and dream about the really big fish that we might catch. On the way my son asked me how big do salami's get? (Tsunami's) and we had a discussion about that. At one point my son asked if we were fishing in mountain water because he was really thirsty and he wanted to drink just a little. We had a discussion about being a Christian and knowing what sin was. I will just say this.... as electronical as I am.... I love the outdoors even more. I just don't think these kinds of conversations and interaction happen in front of the game system. Take your kids fishing you don't have to have the nicest stuff or the best location. The total trip with snacks and bait and gas cost about $40 and part of that was for a cricket basket next trip 1/3 cheaper cause I now have a cricket basket.
I can't wait to take them duck hunting...... now that is way better than a video game!!!!!
What things have you done in the outdoors this summer?
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