A Family That Fishes Together Stays Together

The sun is setting as a group of geese and ducks splash into the water with their bellies full from the crumbs being tossed by a lady and her son. The sky is now a mixture of red, orange, blue and purple as the sun disappears behind the tree line just to the right of the dam. Several boats and kayaks are in the distance headed for the boat ramp as another evening on the water draws to a close. Suddenly the small,  orange bobber on the end of a small rod and reel combo begins to bounce and dance on the surface of the water. The cork darts under water and a small fish splashes and tugs as a little girl reels in her catch on the dock.

"Daddy, mommy look! I got one! I caught a fish!"

"Way to go Amy. Great job! Look Amy caught one!"

This was the scene as I fished late in the evening on the docks at Kedron Lake in Fayette County. As I approached the docks I saw something that would discourage a large number of fishermen; the docks were loaded with people. Families with lines in the water were scattered across the many yards of docks that stretch down the bank on either side of the boat ramp. A teen girl and her father at the end of a docks watching corks as they bobbed in the ripples. Two other girls were sitting together, laughing while staring at the glowing screens of their phones as another family talks, watching their lines, as dad casts vigorously looking for that big bass.

I walked down to the dock along the left side of the boat ramp and a little girl wished me "good luck" as I stepped on to the dock. That little girl turned out to be Amy from the scene I described above. The joy in her voice when she caught the little bream was infectious; so much so that I had to ask the family if I could take a picture. I told them about my blog and the importance of families fishing together, to which the mother replied "a family that fishes together, stays together". This is all too true.

Fishing provides families the opportunity to grow and learn together as they pursue their quarry. It teaches us patience as we try to show a child how to tie an improved clinch knot. We learn about dealing with disappointment as that big fish that put up such a great fight threw the hook just outside of reach. These lessons and more can be applied to our daily lives as a family and what better way to practice, than in a fun filled day on the water chasing fish?

As we approach National Fishing and Boating Week, I would encourage everyone to take some time to get out on the water or on the bank with rod, reel and family in hand. Even if you don't have a boat, you can still find some water nearby to wet a hook. Spend some time together laughing and enjoying each others' company in nature and you are sure to find yourselves closer than ever before.