He sure is lucky, this 4-year old little boy asleep in his bed. He’s going fishing for the first time today. Mom promised him she and dad would take him if he kept his toys picked up. His room looks pretty good. Some toys are pushed under the bed or back into the closet.
His little basketball goal sits against a wall. It is waiting for him to make another basket. The bookcase is full of books he likes Dad or Grandpa to read to him. Mom can walk across the floor now without stepping on a Lego.
In the corner, near the door, sits his new fishing rod and reel. Dad got it for him. This is no Mickey Mouse outfit. He thinks it looks like the ones Dad uses. Next to it sits his new tackle box.
Dad took him to the outdoor store to buy it. He got to pick out the one he wanted. Also, he got red and white plastic bobbers, sinkers, hooks, and a fish stringer to put in it too. Dad gave him old plastic worms, frogs, and lizards. He likes playing with them. There is a small toy or two tucked away in one of the compartments.
He lays there snuggled up to his favorite stuffed animal. A turtle named Tucker. Great-grandma got it for him. A few others lay scattered around the bed. As he sleeps, a smile is on his face. He must be dreaming about going fishing. In his dream, he hears someone calling his name.
He feels someone kissing him on the cheek. Through sleepy eyes, he sees Mom. He hears her say, “You better get up. It is time to go fishing.” His eyes widen. He reaches up and hugs her. Then, the family dogs burst into the room. They jump on the bed and start licking on him. Now, he is awake and ready to go fishing.
Mom sends him to the bathroom to do his morning big duties and brush his teeth. He rushes back to his room. She helps him get his t-shirt grandma got him with Daddy’s fishing buddy on it. He puts on his Born to Fish cap that great-grandpa sent him. He is a lucky little boy to have so many people and dogs that love him.
Mom had breakfast ready. The little boy and Dad came in and sat at the kitchen table. They all held hands and bowed their heads. Dad thanked God for this special day and all their many blessings. It is hard to eat when you are a little boy and ready to go fishing.
They loaded the coolers, the snacks, and the dogs in the truck and were off on this great adventure. At least it was to a 4-year-old. As Dad drove, questions came from the little boy sitting in his car seat. How much farther Dad? Why do fish have fins? Did you get my fishing stuff? What color are fish? Dad patiently answered all the questions and smiled. So did Mom.
“I can see the water”, the little boy yelled as they drove across the bridge. Soon, he was helping Dad back the boat down the ramp. The boat motored away from the ramp with life jackets on everyone. The dogs too.
They stopped at the marina so Dad could get some worms. Guess who had to go with him? Back in the boat, they came out of the idle zone. Dad pushed the throttle forward. The look on the little boy’s face was priceless as the boat motor roared to life.
Dad had been on his college bass fishing team. He still fishes bass tournaments when he can. The boat has every kind of electronics imaginable. Dad works for the company that makes them. The little boy wanted to know about every one of them.
This day was not a fishing tournament. It was all about the first fishing trip for a little boy. He idled down and drifted into a shaded cove. The lucky little boy saw an eagle flying in the sky, a deer drinking, and a big heron fishing along the bank.
It was a great place to have a picnic lunch, play in the water, and catch a first fish.
That was the only thing on his little mind after they anchored and tied up the boat. He was ready to go fishing.
Dad tied a small sinker and a bobber to the line but no hook and then showed him how to cast and helped him cast. Then he let him try casting by himself. That was hard for a 4-year old. Dad told him he would help.
Dad and the little boy walked along the shoreline hand-in-hand. He carried his fishing pole. Dad, the tackle box and worms. Mom took pictures. The dogs came along. Dad found a good spot and put a hook on his line and a worm on the hook. The little boy wanted to put the worm on. Dad told him to watch how he does it first. Then when he is older, he can. He is okay with that.
Dad gets on his knees, puts his hands around his little hands, and helps him cast the worm into the water. Mom said it was a great cast. They all smiled. She got a great picture. Dad told him to watch the bobber. When it went under, he would help him set the hook. Just as he said it, the bobber moved sideways and started bobbing up and down. Dad helped set the hook, but let his son fight the little fish.
Mom frantically took pictures as the little boy reeled it onto the bank. The little boy and Dad posed as Mom too pictures. Dad took out the hook to release it. The little boy wanted to touch it first. With one finger, he did. The dogs came over and wanted to smell the fish. Then he said goodbye as Dad put it back in the water. He gave a high-five to Dad and Mom and hugged the dogs. First fishing trip, first cast, first fish.
He wanted to fish some more. Dad put another worm on. They cast it out together. Soon, the bobber started moving toward deeper water and the two fishermen set the hook. The little rod bent almost double. Dad had to help him with this one. It took the line off the reel. They would gain some of it back and it would strip more line.
Mom is yelling and taking pictures at the same time. Dad was hoping the line or the rod would not break. A determined look was on his little face as he and Dad fought the fish. Dad told Mom to get the dip net from the boat. She held it in the water as the little boy and his dad brought the fish to it. It was much bigger than his first fish. For a little fishing outfit and a little boy, it was a memory.
They posed for pictures again. Dad beamed with pride. He would send that picture to all his bass fishing buddies and show it off at work next week. Mom was already sending it to grandparents and great-grandparents. Two cast, two fish. Dad tried to explain to him that it is not always that easy. The little boy was so happy he did not care right now. He had caught a fish like dad catches. They watched it swim away.
Knowing that they would probably not catch another fish like that, Dad talked him into playing in the water so he would not be disappointed if they did not. They all paddled around and played for a while, including the dogs. They got hungry. The little boy sat on Dad’s lap.
He was eating, talking about the fish, and yawning. They decided to pack up and go home. The little boy was asleep before the boat reached the loading ramp. On the drive home, Mom turned around and took pictures of a tired little fisherman with his Born to Fish cap tilted to one side. Two tired dogs were asleep on each side of him. He was probably dreaming fish dreams. He is a lucky little boy.
