Finally got the canoe out!!!

Brian Andrews

Brian Andrews

Joined
Dec 11, 2006
Messages
1,659
Spring seems like it came around late this year. I knew the water temps were still a bit cold for good fishing, but you know what the say about "a bad day fishing....." :)

So, my 5 year old son and I took the canoe out to our secret fishing hole.

IMG_8254.jpg


All the water in the foreground is extremely shallow. When everything greens up in a couple of weeks, you will not even be able to see the actual pond way out there.

My old truck all loaded up.

IMG_8255.jpg


My son is getting to be a good paddler. Much improved over last year.

IMG_8257.jpg


You can see here how shallow it is....and this is the most water I have ever seen here. It is probably why nobody goes out there. I have to admit, my first time out there, I thought we were going to get stuck for sure, dragging bottom and all that.

IMG_8258.jpg


Finally made it.

IMG_8260.jpg


My buddy.

IMG_8263.jpg


My "pocket" knife doing line cutting duty.

IMG_8264.jpg


My son looks to be the next photographer in the family. He took this picture of me fishing (which is now my avatar).

IMG_8265.jpg


Even though it was a bit early, we still caught a few fish, but did not keep any. It is nothing like this fishing hole will be in a couple weeks. We will probably keep a few then.

This was a really special trip for me because my son has been casting a pole and plug in the backyard since he was 3. With amazing accuracy too. I have not yet trusted him with a real hook for fear of someone getting snagged. This is the first trip where I let him do it all by himself. That includes hooking, reeling and getting a fish in the boat. When he was younger, I would have to help him get one on the line and then let him reel it. This time, he did it all by himself.

How cool is that?
 
That's awesome, man! There is not much that makes me happier on here than seeing guys who do stuff with their kids and take an interest in their kids' lives. I grew up with a dad who was an extremely skilled bushman but wasn't remotely interested in spending time with me in any capacity! I finally got him interested in spending time with me in the last couple of years (now that I'm past 30!) and I know he regrets missing out on my childhood.

I always figured most dads weren't interested in being around their kids and this forum is one of the things that makes me think otherwise; I am always really happy to see how many guys post pics of being out in the bush with their sons and daughters. I guarantee one million percent the kids will benefit from it and be glad for all the time you spent together.

Good for all you dads who are out there teaching your kids and building relationships with them! You are doing something really great for them!
 
Great shots. I was chuckling seeing the canoe sticking out the back of your truck like that - I trust you weren't driving on a freeway like that! I love canoeing through the shallows and seeing those macrophytes up close. Often get to see big pike this time of year lurking in those shallow. Looks like a great father+son day!
 
kgd said:
Great shots. I was chuckling seeing the canoe sticking out the back of your truck like that - I trust you weren't driving on a freeway like that!
Click to expand...

:D:D:D Actually, yes! 75mph baby. I do it all the time. You see the two straps pushing into the bed of the truck, what you don't see is I have tie down points in the bed. I have a strap up near the cab that keep the canoe pushing downward into the bed so that no pivoting action can happen. I know it looks funny, but it gets us out.

For fish, this is generally a good crappie and bluegill lake. That day, we caught mostly perch, and one straggler blue gill.
 
Great pics Brian. Nothing like a canoe on a secret body of water. When I was an undergrad at UT I lived in married students housing right on the Colorado River. Vegetation was so heavy on the river you couldn't see it from the apartments.

So I bought a canoe and kept it chained to a tree just above the water line. I would come home from class, launch my canoe into the very slow moving river and fish for an hour or so most every day. While on the water no sign of civilization was visible, so I might as well have been in the wild. Never saw another soul on that section of river.

Enjoyed your post. Thanks. :thumbup:
 
Going fishing with dad is a memory he will always cherish (and so will you). Nothing like starting them young!
 
It is a Radisson. They are kind of special purpose, but have some cool stats. This one is a 14' canoe, and weighs in at 44lbs! Has a carrying capacity of 850lbs.

The downside is that it is not so much of a river canoe. If you hit it, it will dent and bounce back out. But, if you were to hit it with something pointy, I am sure you would puncture it. I also don't think it would take a bashing on the rocks very well, like often happens in swift rivers. So, I reserve this one for smaller ponds like this one, isolated lakes, and portage type trips.

The main reason I have it is because it is one that I can easily manage by myself.

Thanks everyone else for your comments. I love getting the kids out. My son's first camping trip was in the Smokey Mountains at 9 months old. My daughter's first camping trip was at 6 months old, and mid-30 degree temps at night. My theory has always been that I will drag them out doing what I like until they get old enough to develop their own likes. Once that happens, I will spend time with them doing what they want. Of course, I am hoping that I rub off on them as well, and will like the stuff I do too :D
 
44 lbs, thats light. I have a 14 foot Old Town, it weighs close to twice that.
 
Very nice! looks like a great fishing pond, and your son is a great photographer!

Your pond reminds me of this great "secret" little bass pond that I used to go to when I lived in Ohio. I even had a 12' aluminum boat that I loaded into the back of my S-10 just like your canoe. Are you in my parallel universe?

Looks like you had an awesome time, those are moments your son will remember forever. I'm so jealous...
 
Great pics - Looks like you guys had a blast. I can't wait for my kid to get here so I can take him/her fishing and out to enjoy the wilderness.
 
Looks to be good times! Fathers like you are getting few and far between, you should be proud. Those pictures remind me of some of my best memories, Dad paddling us around, me fishing from the front of our old canoe (still have it). Thanks for posting them.
 
I love canoe fishing. Makes it twice as fun w/ your son their. Excellant pics, excellant story, excellant time im sure.........
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top