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Reel fun caught more than fish
Nise's Notes
by Denise Schoppe
The Marlin Democrat
May 18, 2005
The annual Kid Fish was held last Saturday, and I have the sunburn to prove it.
I admit it. My sunscreen wasn't quite strong enough, and I was too stubborn to put on a shirt with sleeves. So I'm left with red shoulders and a wince when I put on my seatbelt in my truck. I can hear the "I told you so"s already. That's okay. It was my catch of the day.
For many area children, though, they caught memories of a good time and several carried home fish to eat. I don't doubt there were more sunburn cases as well, but it somehow was worth it in the end.
In a time when the news is saturated with stories of kids with guns, it's good to see kids with fishing poles. Instead of running to see two people fighting, there were sprints to see how big someone's catch was.
There were people of all ages in attendance. Churches brought groups of youth. Parents brought their children, and for the day there weren't worries of lawns being mowed or groceries to be bought. There wasn't homework to be completed or games to be attended. There was simply time together around the tank. Some were seated in lawn chairs. Others lay back in the grass daring any insects to come and be a bother.
Brothers and sisters spat. The size of that fish almost caught kept getting larger. Laughter seemed to be in abundance.
There was also plenty of food to be consumed as a large barbecue pit smoked as it prepared hot dogs, hamburgers and other meat items. Drinks flowed, and snack cakes were devoured.
Some of the kids were more interested in the bait -- minnows, crawfish and worms -- than in the act of fishing. Everyone seemed to become a self-appointed fishing expert by the end of the day.
I, myself, had not fished in close to ten years before Saturday. I had reteach myself how to cast a line, and I was as green as some of the youngsters who could catch a mean blade of grass. Actually, that's almost all I caught -- a lot of grass. I eventually surrendered and sat back to people-watch.
In doing that, though, I also caught many intangible things. A happy feeling watching everyone around me having fun. The urge to go fishing again -- this time with the definite goal of catching a fish or two. The reminder that part of the fun of fishing is the quiet time alone with your thoughts and then the shared laugher with friends. The realization that fishing isn't that different from some video games as it is about strategy in addition to skill.
The four hours I spent out at the farm seemed to fly by, and soon it was time to leave. People had been trickling in and out the entire time, but it seemed many found it time to leave close to the same time. The weather had been on the side of those planning the event. The rain stayed away and the only complaint was that it was definitely hot. The area was beautiful with the grass cut short and a remarkable lack of fire ants.
There was several still out by the tank fishing as I drove away, and had it not been for another engagement I had to attend, I'd have gladly stayed for a few more hours. Of course then my burn would be worse...
Nise's Notes
by Denise Schoppe
The Marlin Democrat
May 18, 2005
The annual Kid Fish was held last Saturday, and I have the sunburn to prove it.
I admit it. My sunscreen wasn't quite strong enough, and I was too stubborn to put on a shirt with sleeves. So I'm left with red shoulders and a wince when I put on my seatbelt in my truck. I can hear the "I told you so"s already. That's okay. It was my catch of the day.
For many area children, though, they caught memories of a good time and several carried home fish to eat. I don't doubt there were more sunburn cases as well, but it somehow was worth it in the end.
In a time when the news is saturated with stories of kids with guns, it's good to see kids with fishing poles. Instead of running to see two people fighting, there were sprints to see how big someone's catch was.
There were people of all ages in attendance. Churches brought groups of youth. Parents brought their children, and for the day there weren't worries of lawns being mowed or groceries to be bought. There wasn't homework to be completed or games to be attended. There was simply time together around the tank. Some were seated in lawn chairs. Others lay back in the grass daring any insects to come and be a bother.
Brothers and sisters spat. The size of that fish almost caught kept getting larger. Laughter seemed to be in abundance.
There was also plenty of food to be consumed as a large barbecue pit smoked as it prepared hot dogs, hamburgers and other meat items. Drinks flowed, and snack cakes were devoured.
Some of the kids were more interested in the bait -- minnows, crawfish and worms -- than in the act of fishing. Everyone seemed to become a self-appointed fishing expert by the end of the day.
I, myself, had not fished in close to ten years before Saturday. I had reteach myself how to cast a line, and I was as green as some of the youngsters who could catch a mean blade of grass. Actually, that's almost all I caught -- a lot of grass. I eventually surrendered and sat back to people-watch.
In doing that, though, I also caught many intangible things. A happy feeling watching everyone around me having fun. The urge to go fishing again -- this time with the definite goal of catching a fish or two. The reminder that part of the fun of fishing is the quiet time alone with your thoughts and then the shared laugher with friends. The realization that fishing isn't that different from some video games as it is about strategy in addition to skill.
The four hours I spent out at the farm seemed to fly by, and soon it was time to leave. People had been trickling in and out the entire time, but it seemed many found it time to leave close to the same time. The weather had been on the side of those planning the event. The rain stayed away and the only complaint was that it was definitely hot. The area was beautiful with the grass cut short and a remarkable lack of fire ants.
There was several still out by the tank fishing as I drove away, and had it not been for another engagement I had to attend, I'd have gladly stayed for a few more hours. Of course then my burn would be worse...
