I recall that my passion for fishing started at an early age, when groups of us would head down to the local pond to fish for trout, or chubs or suckers, or whatever would bite. We’d use those red and white floats and worms, eventually getting really tricky by adding in some corn, with hopes of catching… anything. We were so patient back then, sitting for hours, sometimes not catching a thing, but having a great time with each other, and exploring the different parts of what at the time seemed to be a massive pond (disclosure, it wasn’t). I enjoy fishing with my kids (and kids in general), not just because I love spending time with them, and not just because I take pride in their enjoyment of the sport and of nature in general, but also because it reminds me that fishing is not just about the act of catching a fish. You can have a great day on the water and catch almost nothing at all if you have the right mindset. Our summer family vacation provides a week of such reminders each August when we head up with a group of families to Tomiko Lake Lodge, located on Tomiko Lake.
Within seemingly minutes of our arrival, the kids head to the dock en mass with rods, a community tackle box, and some worms. And while the parents are all unloading the vehicles and setting up, the kids have already entered full vacation mode as they catch rock bass, sunfish and the occasional small mouth bass of the dock. They do keep score, and they do recall each and every fish caught by each and every kid, but there isn’t the same level of competitiveness you find with adults. They are equally excited whether they catch a fish or their friend does. They share the “best spots” and help each other put on worms and take off fish. Fishing on the dock almost levels the playing field for kids of all ages, and it’s wonderful to watch. My kids are fortunate that they have rods and reels and a boat to fish from whenever we go out as a family, and I’m mindful of that when we head to the lake. This year in particular I tried to get as many of the kids out in the boat (with a parent) to fish as possible. Fishing from the dock is great, but heading out in the boat to fish like the adults do adds that little something.
My first chance came with Keith and his son Logan. We headed out one night to do some casting in a bay that had produced some nice bass the evening before. It was great to see father and son sharing lures, trading rods, and trying different techniques in hopes of catching that one fish. As the driver, the last thing I wanted was to come home skunked! Keith though, made quick work of that issue landing a small mouth bass on one of his first few casts. The pressure off, it was time to just enjoy the night.
The casting not producing what we hoped, we decided to do some trolling over some points and shoals, to see if we could get one of those bass to hit Logan’s line. Earlier that week I had had some luck in a few spots, so I decided to try one now. Sure enough, just as we passed a rocky outcropping Logan’s cheer came forth: “I got one!” Sure enough, in came a small mouth to rival those his father had caught. Fish in boat, picture taken, handshakes all around, mission accomplished! As we returned to the dock we were greeted by the kids who all wanted to know if any fish were caught (yes), and if Logan caught one (again yes). When asked if we had any “keepers” we informed the group that we let the fish go to help make it easier for the next group :).
My next outing was with my friend Dan, who was accompanied by his daughter Leah. I’d gone fishing with Dan and his son Adam before, so this was a nice treat. Our plan was to head out late afternoon, but the weather kept us off the water, but after dinner we judged it stable enough to head out. I did made an error on this outing, not bringing any form of camera to take pictures! I always carry my Delorme InReach with me so I wasn’t worried about getting into trouble with the boat, but I was worried about not getting a picture of a fish. We decided to try the same formula from the earlier evening, casting for some bass and also using the good old hook and work. A couple of fish made it into the boat, but not from the rod of the key angler, Leah. Knowing my job,I took us to a different location, a weed line from which I’d managed to scare up a couple bass and walleye earlier. The rod Leah had was acting up, so while Dan worked on that, I handed over mine, pre-rigged with one of my “go to” lures, the Scatter Rap in Fire Tiger. Not too many minutes later, success was upon us when Leah set the hook on a very aggressive small mouth bass, who we managed to boat and get a good look at. No, we didn’t have a camera, but we were pleased none the less. It was full dark at this point and we again returned to a hero’s welcome.
While I didn’t have any pictures, I had taken my daughter Hannah out with my friend Jeff and his son Ben near the start of the week. We sat on a spot that ALWAYS produces scores of rock bass, but only managed a few. When it came time to take Ben’s sister Keeley out, we went back to the same spot, confident it would work. Jeff was on full time hook and worm duty, while I used my own hook and worm to move out the rock flat, seeking the schools we knew were there. Thankfully it didn’t take long until I’d hook a couple rock bass, and I knew we were in for great night. I hit the “spot lock” on the Minn Kota Terrova iPilot to keep us in the zone. Keeley reported that she had caught one fish before, on the dock, but never from a boat! Well, by the time our evening was over, Keeley was a veteran of FOUR fish in the boat, and many more that just managed to get off the Barbie fishing rod. This time, I was able to take a few pictures, and we even put a couple fish in the live well so she could proudly show off her catch to Mom.
Between the groups I took out, and some that my buddy Scott took, we managed to get all the kids in a boat to fish that had wanted it (though I think next year the list may grow). One last check box though, was to try a small lake the lodge owner called “Mud Lake”. We were told that if you pulled up to a launch area there would be a small boat with oars waiting on the other side, and hopefully some fish too. That sounded like a back lake adventure to me, so Dan and I got some water and snacks while Hannah and Jacob headed to the dock. As we headed to the location we were shown (keep in mind it was from the opposite shore), we were stumped, not seeing an obvious landing. We pulled up to one trail head and Dan bravely set out on foot to see where the trail let, which was to nowhere. We got back in the boat and headed to a local cottage to ask from some advice. The owners knew where we were trying to go, and assured us we were in the right spot. After some chat, the cottage owner did chime in with “you could always go around that point and see if it’s easier at the beaver dam”…and off we went.
Of course, we turned the point, saw the beaver dam, and the tin boat on the other side in plain view. As a note, the fact that the landing sight is the same spot as a beaver dam is a good landmark, and might be useful to share in the future :). We pulled up the boat, carried our gear across, or I should noet the Dads did, while the kids explored the dam. Once we were in the water though, Hannah boated a nice sunfish in the first few moments. It was great to see her enthusiasm as it was her first sunfish, but I was also mindful that this 12ft boat wasn’t quite as roomy as my Princecraft.
We headed a bit further to the lake to see if we could get Jacob hooked up, and sure enough he equaled his sister with a sunfish of his own. Both kids were happy, and I was thrilled that they had experienced both some success with fishing, but that we were able to share the experience of fishing this new lake in a mini-adventure. Dan was not sitting idly by during this time, the allure of lily pads had him throwing top water baits for bass. His first catch came in without much of a problem, but his second dug into the weeds so deep we had to paddle to it, and he had to dig that fish out by hand. It was amazing that the fish was still hooked, but we were able to extract it, capture a photo and return it for another time. I continue to be impressed by the instincts fish have to get off a hook. I can’t imagine that fish had ever been caught before, but it knew its best chance was to head to the weeds and create some slack.
Our mission on Mud Lake complete, we paddled back to the dam, took a few more pictures and headed for home. We’d been fishing in high sun, and while we had hats, sunscreen and water, it was time to go find some shade. Our visit to Mud Lake was the only one of the week, and on the last day. I can see more visits in the future, particularly if you took a small electric motor to help get your around.
It was an amazing week away with friends, and some of the best fishing of the season. Not in terms of numbers or size of fish, but in terms of the level of enjoyment I received from sharing it with so many different adults and kids. I’m already looking forward to next year! Don’t forget, to say in touch simply sign up and have my most recent post sent right to you!