So easy, even an 8 year old can do it

[whichwaysup]

I thought of you guys this morning.   

 

Took my 8 year old son out into the marsh on a dawn patrol session.   At 8, his fishing attention span is only so long, so he started looking for things to entertain himself with, since the redfish werent playing nice.  I was up on the poling platform pusing through some grass and I see a little spark in his eyes.  

"Is it hard to do that?"  He asked.  I could tell that it wasnt an academic question.   He clearly wanted to try it.   The mud was thick and I was a little worried he would get the pole stuck and then go off the back of the boat with it, but figured marsh mud only kills people occassionally.   

I jumped down, and handed him the pole and figured I would let him try a few pushes.   Turns out, the kid has a gift.   He poled for a few minutes under my direction, but when he didnt seem like he wanted to quit, I walked up to the bow and started fishing.   

I'll be darned if that kid didnt pole that boat 200 yards, winding through tight creeks and across some decent bays.   Every once in a while, I had to kick the TM to help him get the bow around a sharp corner, but that was it.    

We didnt catch anything special, but he said he had the best time of his life.  His favorite part of the trip?  Poling.

 

And you boys say you cant pole an MA!!

 

[Chief5130]

Wow, this is a special time for you and him.  Believe me when I say this will go by so fast and you will be fishing alone as he will be off making a life for himself.  He is a special kid you got.

[soflah3]

9 hours ago, whichwaysup said:

The mud was thick and I was a little worried he would get the pole stuck and then go off the back of the boat with it, but figured marsh mud only kills people occassionally.   

I just choked on my beer!

Great job Dad! Enjoy those moments. They go really quick! My little fishing buddy is starting his second year of college next month