Have you seen the weather report? Record-breaking temperatures are blanketing the southern part of the United States… and they have been creeping up to my neck of the woods (Upper Midwest). Yesterday we had highs in the 80s, which is virtually unheard of in October (typically, were gearing up for our first snowfall in October). To celebrate, we “playgroup moms” (moms from my daughter’s playgroup) decided to take advantage of the beautiful (and rare) weather. I don’t know how it happened, but we ended up taking the kids to a local fishing hole (it’s an old quarry that the local municipality converted into a fishing spot).
Up until yesterday the only fishing my daughter had ever done was at a kiddie carnival where she threw a pole over a curtain and someone on the other end attached a small toy, which she reeled back in. Personally, I was concerned that fishing was going to be a bit challenging for a bunch of impatient 2-to-4-years olds, but I was game (I figured if nothing else my daughter would enjoy being outside with her friends). Turns out the kids had a blast and I walked away eager to come back (next season) with the rest of our family. The playgroup fishing outing really exceeded my expectations and I can see now why so many families spend their entire vacations on the water.
Fishing (well, the waiting for a fish part) provides a wonderful opportunity to talk and bond. It can be geared towards all ages—go low-tech for younger kids and high-tech for teens. And, if you are lucky, you may even walk away with a meal.
If you decide to give this family friendly activity a try, here are some tips to keep in mind:
· If you have small children I recommend sticking to the shallow water. Our playgroup didn’t have enough poles for each child so some of them simply used nets. By the end of the day the kids had lost interest in the poles, instead we had 9 kids fighting over 4 nets.
· Fishing = Science Lesson. We didn’t catch any fish, but the kids scooped up tiny “animals,” which we observed and released. It was a great chance to teach the kids about how fish and other organisms survive in the water.
· If you aren’t having luck on the water, try your hand on shore. Our kids had a great time digging for “clams” and collecting, what lloked like mussels, both are easy and gratifying pursuits.
Fishing Safety Tips:
· Pay attention to the tide. Make sure you don’t get caught on isolated rocks with the tide coming in.
· If you aren’t at a designated fishing area make sure you have a fishing permit for both fishing and clamming. Some states make exceptions if only children are fishing.
· Be very careful with fish hooks (especially when you are fishing with young children). Hooks can easily become embedded in human skin.
· Slap on the sunscreen. Sunburn is a real threat as light reflected off the water intensifies the sun’s burning rays. Also consider wearing a broad-brimmed hat or long sleeves.