It rained the first day. Poured more like. Cristian and I were both wearing sweaters which just absorbed the droplets and slowly soaked through to our bones. I like to think of it as my first true fishing experience. I hiked with Violet on my back while Cristian carried the cooler full of sandwiches, chopped fruit, and bottles of water. We made our way to the bridge, folded out the camp chairs, whipped out our tiny umbrella for Violet to sit under, and got to work readying our lines.
We bought Violet a fishing pole this year. It's sparkly and pink, and she's already a professional at reeling in the line. She loves to hold and touch the night crawlers, and to wear her rain/fishing boots. She's caught 2 small yellowbelly fish this year. Each time she gets so excited. Her eyes light up and she can't wait for her dad to hand her the pliers to help release the hook so she can hold the fish for a minute. Then we send them back on their way swimming.
I think about how excited I get when I see the tip of my fishing pole dip down, or feel the subtle nibble on the end of a hook and reel in fish- and it must be a billion times more fantastic to experience that as a 3 year old.
I never had any interest in fishing growing up. It wasn't something I did with my parents or siblings, or even my friends. I remember the first time Cristian took me fishing, he's a great teacher. He showed me how to use a fishing rod and reel, how to cast, how to reel in, how to do everything because I was truly a beginner. And in a billion ways, I still am. It's been so much fun learning, and believe me, I know there is MUCH more to fishing then what I have learned so far. Its been exciting to learn something new, and it's also become something we really enjoy doing as a family.
What I enjoy most about it is the quiet, and by that I mean the lack of cars, televisions buzzing, phones vibrating, the constant background music in our day to day life. It's all shut off and the only things we hear are the wind rippling across the marina, or the rushing river, or those cheeky fish jumping over in that area of the water. There was lots of thunder, and the occasional gasp from Violet, myself, or Cristian when we thought we felt a tug, or saw something quiver in the water. Other then that it was quiet chatter, the occasional dozing off, Violet splashing with her sticks in the water or jumping happily in muddy puddles. A constant hum of flies, crickets, and mosquitos.
It was beautiful, and relaxing, and rejuvenating.
Over the last several days we've tried out different spots, and I even had my first shot at fishing in a fast moving river-it was hard btw-and I didn't catch anything, but it was cool to learn about the different types of gear you use for different fish, for different locations, and different weather.
We had a nice little staycation and those mud coated shoes and boots, and rods and reels and tackle boxes are still just at the door, waiting to be cleaned and the floors around them mopped...but I think we'll put that off for one more day, and instead snuggle in bed and watch Jeremy Wade.
Our biggest catch this year, caught by your truly :)
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