A Boy in a Man's Jacket

Trout Whisperer posted on August 06, 2008 08:57 :: 4383 Views

I'm in the drivers seat of the boat.......mid boat belongs to a 13 year old boy, the bow perch paid for by his father. The kid is quiet, polite, and very sleepy faced. I got them all up country early.

The previous evening’s frost has everything dew covered. I can tell the young son wants a nap but he’s not sure about lying down in the dampness of the boat. I offer boat cushions and extra life jackets to create a nest, he refuses. Again he is very respectful.

An older kid would pop off verbally. A younger boy would jump at the chance. He’s mid boat, betwixt and between.

We run up lake into what I think is refreshingly crisp air. The father is hunkering in an expensive pro hooded sweatshirt. The son shivers once so I cut the motor. This time I don't ask, I take my coat off and tell him to put it on. When I get the boat up to speed he’s coming alive. He’s not cold and starting to wake up inside.

He asks me what all the weeds are along the far shoreline and I tell him that's three miles of soon to be ripe wild rice. I get a head nod of understanding. I cut the motor and we drift into the miles of stumps. His dad wants to know where on Gods green earth we are. I said to his dad, were right here. Almost half a grin from a boy in a mans jacket.

I bet the kid a candy bar. Whoever caught the first fish would get paid by the other two. He said it wasn't a fair bet. You’re a fishing guide and my dad has gone lots of times. I told him to man up and take the bet. He did.

I rigged his line and tossed it over. The dad was getting the better end of some chocolate donuts and some steamy coffee so I dropped my line. When I looked up the lad was reeling for all he was worth. No noise, no asking for dads help. He was focused and playing what turned out to be a 1lb 8 ounce black backed crappie.

I could see he was happy. So was his dad. The camera caught all the fish and son with a maze of flooded timber. It should have been a video, the little boy just shot into manhood. He didn't boast or brag. No bravado about a candy bar bet I bullied him into.

We caught walleyes, crappies, northern and perch. We saw an otter playing and not one but three whitetail deer swim across an open bay. The day was a real gem. I get lucky once in awhile too. Kids like that make me feel good about the future. I thanked his father when he paid me and shook his hand. I grabbed junior’s mitt and shook his hand, I didn't tussle his hair or make some witty clever old man joke because he earned it. I gave him a candy bar for the same reason.

The Trout Whisperer

Karl "Trout Whisperer" Seckinger is a respected JustNorth author and outdoor adventurer. His guide service, DuNord Guide Service, and the trout waters that he fishes in the Superior National Forest, are some of the most tightly guarded secrets among Trout enthusiasts in Minnesota and Wisconsin.