A Big Weekend
Dee Tee 07/31/2007 - 21:00 Trip Reports Potomac Roll Your Own
I spent this past weekend as a fishing guide for two of my daughters on the Potomac River. I now have a new respect for all fishing guides out there who have to cater to their clients every wish and demand. I had my hands full!
Part #1 - On Saturday, I took my 5 year old out for her first fishing trip on the River. She has been in the kayak before, but only on lakes, so this was her first “moving water’ trip. We launched at 0900 and made our way upstream to a fishy looking spot. She carefully selected her bait, a Yamamoto 4” Craw in pumpkinseed to complete her Zebco Pro Series setup. After practicing her casts all by herself for 20 minutes or so, she dialed in on the surrounds and put the smack down on a fat little Potomac River Sunny. She felt the bite, set the hook and reeled like mad. Her very first solo catch from the cast to the boat, awesome! And to say she was stoked is a huge understatement. The fish was photographed and released followed by lots of high fives all around.
Part #2 – After the excitement of Saturday’s fishing trip, my 7 year old wanted in on the action. Storms Saturday night, into Sunday early morning provided several inches of much needed rain, but appeared to ruin our fishing plans. We decided to head out anyway to take a look at the river and evaluate the situation at hand. We were headed to a different stretch of river from the day before when we ran right into another rain storm. Things were not looking so good. But by the time we got to the boat ramp, the rain had stopped and the main stem of the river still look good and fishable. We launched at 0930 and again, headed upstream. After enduring two more rain showers and paddling for over an hour we finally found some fishy looking water. My 7 year old has recently tired of the Zebco and has been practicing with Dad’s spinning gear. Back to my new found respect for the guiding professionals, 7 year old + spinning gear + kayak + River = Yikes. She wanted to learn to use a Pop-R and so she did. After three or four hits with no hook ups, I think she was a little too quick on the hook set, she hooked in to a 14” Smallie. The rod was bent in half and I did the best I could to remain calm and just kept saying “don’t let go of the rod – don’t let go of the rod!” Well she boated this fish like a pro and again we photographed and released it once again making Papa proud.
Can’t wait for next weekend.
I spent this past weekend as a fishing guide for two of my daughters on the Potomac River. I now have a new respect for all fishing guides out there who have to cater to their clients every wish and demand. I had my hands full!
Part #1 - On Saturday, I took my 5 year old out for her first fishing trip on the River. She has been in the kayak before, but only on lakes, so this was her first “moving water’ trip. We launched at 0900 and made our way upstream to a fishy looking spot. She carefully selected her bait, a Yamamoto 4” Craw in pumpkinseed to complete her Zebco Pro Series setup. After practicing her casts all by herself for 20 minutes or so, she dialed in on the surrounds and put the smack down on a fat little Potomac River Sunny. She felt the bite, set the hook and reeled like mad. Her very first solo catch from the cast to the boat, awesome! And to say she was stoked is a huge understatement. The fish was photographed and released followed by lots of high fives all around.
Part #2 – After the excitement of Saturday’s fishing trip, my 7 year old wanted in on the action. Storms Saturday night, into Sunday early morning provided several inches of much needed rain, but appeared to ruin our fishing plans. We decided to head out anyway to take a look at the river and evaluate the situation at hand. We were headed to a different stretch of river from the day before when we ran right into another rain storm. Things were not looking so good. But by the time we got to the boat ramp, the rain had stopped and the main stem of the river still look good and fishable. We launched at 0930 and again, headed upstream. After enduring two more rain showers and paddling for over an hour we finally found some fishy looking water. My 7 year old has recently tired of the Zebco and has been practicing with Dad’s spinning gear. Back to my new found respect for the guiding professionals, 7 year old + spinning gear + kayak + River = Yikes. She wanted to learn to use a Pop-R and so she did. After three or four hits with no hook ups, I think she was a little too quick on the hook set, she hooked in to a 14” Smallie. The rod was bent in half and I did the best I could to remain calm and just kept saying “don’t let go of the rod – don’t let go of the rod!” Well she boated this fish like a pro and again we photographed and released it once again making Papa proud.
Can’t wait for next weekend.
