Doug Leier posted on August 19, 2009 11:05 :: 3173 Views
As fall approaches I still find myself fixated on fishing, partly because of a recent picture-perfect evening with my entire young family. Even if we owned a boat and took extended vacations to big waters, I’d probably still get more enjoyment from a few hours with my wife and kids, putting a hook and bobber on the line and watching little bluegills swarm the worm like a kids at a pinata.
With every cast I'm reminded these trips will end all too soon, and if I dream of weekend walleye trips, they'll come enough as well. For now, a short trip to a local pond is more than enough.
In addition to introducing my own children to fishing, my work as a game warden and now as an outreach biologist with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, includes teaching and promoting fishing, hunting and other outdoor activities. I continue to learn lessons for kids and adults alike.
First and foremost, I refrain from forcing myself into adhering to society's fixation on what creates a memorable outing. If you have a boat, let me be the first to encourage you to put the plug in and get on the water.
I'm serious. Don't wait for the “perfect” day or timing. It seldom lines up as you'd imagine, and you can put together a nice fishing trip without investing weeks or planning.
But if you don't have a boat, I'm living proof you can still enjoy fishing. It doesn’t take thousands of dollars in tackle and equipment to enjoy a family fishing trip. It’s more important to keep kids comfortable and occupied. A favorite blanket, toy and a variety of snacks are just as important as water, sunscreen and bug spray. The latter are must-haves, and the first few items will help when the fishing slows or a nap is missed.
During a rainy day or slow winter evening I'll sometimes surf through a few outdoors TV channels, just to see if the quality has improved a bit and, what and big-ticket equipment is used to catch whopper fish and create million dollar smiles. At least for them.
But I wonder if the smiles aren’t a bit more genuine when they come from regular Joe anglers, surrounded by friends while frying up a day’s catch over an evening campfire. The point is to keep in mind your own expectations of fun and success, along with those of your spouse and kids, rather than going along with someone else’s version of fun.
I'll admit my imagination into the future is limited. As a hook-and-bobber angler, each trip I make to pick up some hooks and weights I gawk at the latest fishing inventions and wonder, "what's next?" I sure hope future anglers are not discouraged and someone helps them understand that fishing can be as simple or complicated as you make it.
The old Tom Sawyer bait, hook, string and stick can still catch a fish in the right spot at the right time. And the latest GPS marks and sonar won't do any good if a weather system moved through and the fish are closed-mouthed.
Again, I’m not saying it's wrong to use the available tools. We just don’t want to create the impression that sitting on a river back, watching a lifeless bobber, is some sort of second-class activity.
Fishing in all its many forms can feed the heart and soul in a way only the outdoors is able.
Doug Leier is a biologist with the Game and Fish Department. He can be reached by email: dleier@nd.gov
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