Proud Father

[wicklundrh]

Once a week I try and do something with just me and my daughter. Gives momma some alone time! During the summer, it is fishing, the fall is bow hunting and the winter is quick trips to the ice. Today I asked Abby if she wanted to go fishing. 20 minutes later and we had our coloring books, crayons, stuffed animals, change of cloths, snacks, and our "potty bucket" (5 gallon pale).

Being that I love to explore new lakes, I decided on "South Lake" in Washtenaw county. The map doesn't do this lake any justice. It has everything. 80ft depths, atleast 10 sand bars, pike and perch weeds, reeds, and the steepest drop offs I have ever seen. Never in my life have I been to an inland lake that goes from a sand bar 2 feet below the surface to 30 feet depths in less than 10 feet of horizontal distance. Normally, we all have a distance we stay away from stuff to get in our "sweet zone". I had to totally re-learn this one.

I settled on a spot at the far end of the lake that had two sand bars that rose to 3 feet. I anchored at 19ft at the bow (11 at the stern) and weeds. I caught a couple of small bass while I was setting up. My daughter asks me if she can have her pole. I tip her 6ft ultra light with a 1/4 oz jig (easier for her to feel) and a minnow and hand it to her. She flips the bail over, drops it an unknown distance and stops it. I look away and look back and she has the rod doubled over. I think she is hooked on a weed but she says "daddy, I know it is a fish". She reels a little bit and I am expecting a decent large mouth bass. I take one look over the side and reach for the net. She did it all on her own and managed to boat the 12 inch (on the nose) crappie below!!! She did it by herself. "just drop the jig until you can't see it daddy".

[wicklundrh]

I've caught 70 plus pound halibut in Alaska, 30 pound salmon in Lake Michigan, big Stealhead, Walleyes, and Pike, but nothing (so far) compares to when my daughter caught this fish today! She did it on her own. Of course, it wouldn't be possible without a word for our sponsor (not so inconspicuous sticker placement below)

[kgalla02]

That's awesome!

[ready2fish]

Wow that's a nice fish, your doing the right thing spending time with your daughter- Good job!

[Dar]

That's an awesome catch young lady, and congrats to you proud Dad

[yankee doodler]

Hey Rich that's a nicer fish than I've ever seen you catch! Maybe you need to take lessons from her. Super job dad. Those are memories she'll never forget.

[slabbernuts]

great share , congrats

[wicklundrh]

Don, hers ties my biggest in Michigan (but I told her that her fish was bigger). Funny thing, I caught a 23 3/4 inch pike and asked her which fish was bigger and she said "hers"

[mmaveal]

Great pictures, you will always remember this trip. I noticed the 40 HP - is your boat a 16 or 18ft.? You must think like I do. Very nice.

[Crappie 1]

Cute kid with a nice fish...Good Job.