I've been on parental leave for the last three weeks. I can only do so much with a baby, so I've been spending every day with my little girl. I figure it gives my wife less to stress about, and helps my little girl adjust to the newborn.
I thought I'd spend some of this time fishing, but just haven't had a spare moment. I hoped to go today during nap time, but the stars didn't align.
This afternoon we went to the "small" pond, six houses down the road to feed the ducks. I counted 50 + geese while we were there! My little girl kept saying she wanted to fish, but at three years old I knew it was futile. We've had her reel in a fish or two, but she just doesn't get it.
We went back home, and she wouldn't shut up about fishing. She even went out to the garage and looked for her Paw Patrol rod.
I tried to pacify her with some casting in the back yard. No dice. "Daddy, we have to go to the pond to catch big fish!"
My wife said to take the hook off and let her throw the bobber in the pond a few times. I grabbed my tackle box just in case, but decided not to take the worms.
I put on a few pieces of Powerbait, as I've heard they do well in this little pond. I've had zero success myself. I casted her rod into the school of minnows she had been feeding earlier.
I'll be damned. She got a bite almost immediately. With my help, she landed three or four fish. I was shocked to see one that clearly escaped death.
I'd imagine all of you have similar stories about your kids first fish. I assumed we'd have this adventure one day, but certainly not this early.
It will be tough to go back to work on Monday!
Lil Doe’s first fish - YouTube
