Bass Fishing

Taking Kids Fishing

Last Friday I got to take some great folks down the North Fork. Aaron, Jerome (9yrs), and Henry (6yrs), were down for spring break to visit their Ozark farm and spend some quality father son time outdoors. I was fortunate enough to share one of those days with them. We set sail from Hammond and planned to float the longboat to River of Life Farm. I brought the nets, small jars, magnifying glasses, binoculars, bird books, and an aquarium.

We seined bugs from the stream, learned how trout are made of trees, and talked about caves and springs; all the while we listened to the phoebes calling loudly from the banks of the North Fork. The aquarium was soon teaming with aquatic wildlife. The boys watched and told us when the bugs were playing tag and the crawdads were eating baby snails. The youngest took a nap while the water lapped against the wood of the boat. But soon the oldest boy found a bank that was black with snails, (“snail breeding ground” is what they called it) he was to excited to let his younger brother sleep during such a magnificent find. He woke him into a cranky ball of fists and then went back to sleep. The oldest then just watched patiently until his brother awoke. Then they marveled at the thousands of shiny black snails in the aquarium.

The boys were eager to get to the banks where an endless supply of stones lay ready to be hurled into the stream. If there were only rocks and water to through them in, an endless supply of PB&J, and plenty of snails to catch, the boys would have been totally satisfied. Unfortunately the only thing I couldn’t provide enough of was the PB&J. (Note to self: young boys are always hungry.) The oldest boy’s interest in the fly rod was sparked on this trip as well. Hid dad seemed thrilled to show his son the way of the fly. We even had a few chances at setting the hook to a few fish.

At the end of the day we got to see a great spectrum of wildlife from the river. Smallmouth bass, goggle eye, rainbow trout, all were brought to the boat for close inspection from the young boys. Downy Serviceberry opened their white blooms and the redbuds were popping up along the banks as well. We heard the call of the pileated woodpecker rattling through the trees, as the blue herons took flight to head down stream and fish the best water first. Great sights, wild sounds, and unforgettable experiences all magnified a memory for two boys and the time their dad took them on the river in the longboat.

Kyle Kosovich
www.longboatoutfitters.com