Take a kid fishing

My son and I worked in the yard all day yesterday, trying to get everything cleaned up before the rain arrived. Thankfully we managed to complete our work in time for me to squeeze in about one hour’s worth of fishing before it began to rain. I quickly loaded my ultra-lite gear in the truck and headed over to the city pond. Upon arriving I discovered a bible group of kids already there. They were eating and playing in the park and just generally having a good time.

Not being bashful I made my way through the children and over to the pond. I realized quickly that this wasn’t going to be the peaceful little outing I had planned on. As I walked along casting my tiny crank bait down the edge of the water, I was constantly stopped and asked questions. Kids are not bashful either. They were fascinated watching me catch bream after bream on my small rod and reel and tiny lure.

What struck me as sad was that many of these kids had never been fishing. Some wanted just to watch, some wanted to see a fish up close and one I actually let release a bream back into the pond for me. What I initially thought was going to be a wasted trip because of so many people walking around, turned out to be one of my most pleasant, and memorable ones.

If you have children, take them fishing. Give them something to do that will instill in them confidence, be rewarding for life, and keep them off the streets.

                                                                                Lowell Henderson

First trip of the season

Sadly, I haven’t been fishing much the last two years. Since moving from the farm that bordered the Mulberry River here in northern Alabama, I kinda lost my desire for a little while. But, for some reason, this spring hit me hard and that desire is now back in full force.

Having acquired permission to go back to the farm anytime I want to fish has really lifted my spirits. This weekend, unless the river is too high to fish that is where I’ll be. We are experiencing tremendous amounts of rain right now so my plans could change as the weekend gets closer.

This first trip of the season won’t be about how big a fish I can catch or how many; it will be about what fishing should be about…simply fishing. For that reason I think my tackle will in the ultra-lite range. Tiny lures and 4 pound line is always a challenge, and always fun. It can also be a humbling experience.

Well, having not finished this article in one setting, my first trip is now in the past. The water was indeed too high for me to fish the Mulberry so I opted to do a little pond fishing. Having fished this pond for many years, I knew that either bass were going to be biting or bluegill would be more active. Turns out that bluegill fishing was awesome. I did go with the small tackle and the four pound test line and it made for a very fun, relaxing, first, trip of the season. I have a little video of part of my day to share with you.  Enjoy, and you guys have a great day. https://youtu.be/bM7piM7srGY

April Vokey is the Real Deal

A very pretty angler caught my eye late one night while I was flipping T.V. channels. Her name was April Vokey. April is a writer, television personality, and a steelhead guide. She is also a conservationist that has a love for the great outdoors and the environment that is ingrained in her very soul.

As I watched her show “Shorelines,” I realized that I was watching someone special. She was truly more about fishing and conservation that she was about money. It was refreshing to see a show that wasn’t trying to cram the latest fad product down your throat every few minutes.

Don’t get me wrong, I understand a program needs sponsorship in order to survive. These days, most fishing shows focus more on product sales than on fishing. To me this is all very sad. It was even sadder to me when I found out April’s show had been cancelled after only one season.

More shows need a format like April’s show had; a format that teaches up and coming generations the traditions that are quickly becoming lost. It seems that today’s generation is being taught how to make money in a thirty minute time slot rather than how to fish, and the value of our grandfathers.

                                                                                     Lowell Henderson