Last week while fishing a small stream I saw something that lifted my heart and spirit. It a sight that I do not see often and some of the most valuable lessons a parent can offer a child.
As I walked the path along the stream I saw a little girl and her dad fishing. It looked like they only had one rod and were sharing it. Suddenly the rod was lifted and a brookie was netted by the man. The net was placed in the water and the both of them looked into the water and were talking. As I approached them the man unhooked the brookie, the little girl wet her hands and the brookie was handed to her. She looked at it, smiled and put the brookie in the water.
This is Nattie..and her dad. We stopped and talked for a good fifteen minutes. And the talk was not only with dad but also Nattie. I was impressed how much she knew about brook trout, and fly fishing. She was aware of how to handle a fish and how to release it gently.
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| Nathan Camp Photo |
This is Nattie working a brookie. The rod is a Tenkara 5'
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| Nathan Camp Photo |
Here is Nattie gently holding and then releasing that brookie she just caught.
A snack and a drink is needed after awhile. When you see this it is an inspiration, a hope for the future. A future that looks good not only for the brookie but also for Nattie. Thanks Dad for your part in showing Nattie how precious the natural world is.
2 weeks ago we took our 6 year old granddaughter camping and also did some fishing with a Tenkara rod. After the 3rd fish Alison said; "Papa, can we catch one that isn't so slimy?"
ReplyDeletedpnoll
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Kids know what they like, and are not afraid to let us know what that is.
Alan,
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic story. Dad must have so happy to see his girl catch those fish. Moments like that are so important in the life of a child.
She is so young but she will remember that the rest of her life.
JJ
Beaverdam
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Joe he certainly was. He has the right attitude to teach her well. Kids don't forget.
THAT, is just AWESOME!
ReplyDeleteWill
Hibernation
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Will you have two young ones and can really appreciate times like this.
Alan, thanks for sharing this uplifting experience! I love how Dad is teaching Nattie fly fishing along with the value of the brookies in this small stream. It made my day reading this post.
ReplyDeleteSam
Unknown
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Sam it's days like this that even us veterans can really appreciate. Girls are a bit easier to teach then boys from my experience.
I love this post. Well done Nate and Nattie, well done. A bright new light appears in the piscatorial constellation.
ReplyDeletemike
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Mike only good can come from outings like this. Nattie will remember as will dad.
You definitely lifted my spirits with this post. Made my day. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz
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Mark I posted it but the credit goes to Nattie.
A handful of goldfish and a net full of brookies; That's about how our days go.
ReplyDeleteIt was good to meet you out there!
Nathan Camp
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Nate that photo with her mouth full of goldfish is priceless.
Sometimes when you simplify your surroundings the world appears less complicated..Dad and daughter here caught together in a moment of something real and authentic.
ReplyDeleteDavid A
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David very true. As adults it seems it's not right unless it's complicated...follow the children.
Hi Alan, this was a beautiful post from you! 50 years ago my dad took me fishing for the first time and we quickly caught a Yellow Perch on a worm and bobber. Though I was only 5 years old I’ve never forgotten that day. Now I’m teaching my grand children how to tie flies and cast a line. They’re still little but the joy I see in them when the fly they “just invented” using bright craft store feathers on a hook wrapped with thread and yarn from Walmart successfully fools a Bluegill is just wonderful. I still chase that same feeling. Whenever I’m fortunate enough to fool a wild trout with one of my ties, I’m 5 years old again at least until my bad knee brings me back to reality. It’s my hope that their desire to truly learn our sport both on the water and at the bench will grow as they do.
ReplyDeleteDean F
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Dean that memory is as vivid for you today as it was so many years ago. That is another wonder in this passion we call fly fishing...catching a trout on a fly tied by our own hands.
Alan
ReplyDeleteEncounters like you had on this trip is what makes fishing so rewarding. Thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
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Bill not really knowing of the encounter but experiencing it just makes ones day.
G'Day Alan,
ReplyDeleteYou dont need to believe in unicorns, fairies, wizards and witches to experience magic.You saw it in the beautiful bond that Nattie and Nate share.
I've been thinking of buying one of those TinyTen short rods. I can see it being very useful in some the glorified trickles that I often fish.
Kindest Regards,
Steve.
Steve
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Steve it was such a pleasure to see the interest both had in what they were doing.
I think the Tiny Ten would be a great fit for you...and others.
That is a fine thing to see. I just finished a two-day raft trip fly fishing smallmouth and muskie, and came across a father and daughter of about 13 years old on a 5-day canoe trip. Another fine thing to see. Love seeing youngsters learning the value and pleasures of Nature.
ReplyDeleteAl R.
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Al there is no better thing to teach are young folks then the beauty of nature. There's no fiction in the natural world, only truth.
It really is beautiful to see children when they practice the same hobby that the father has, nowadays children are better prepared in their nature than we were in our time. good experience Alan.
ReplyDeleteArmando Milosevic
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Armando it is great to see children learning a valuable lesson. And lessons taught Involving nature are so important.
Nate and Nattie appeared in an article on the"Tenkara Angler" site recently.
ReplyDeleteSteve.
Steve
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I'll have to check that out.