I’ve always said that I wouldn’t pressure Abby into any of my outdoor pursuits.  My plan has always been to introduce her to my outdoor pursuits gradually, and let her make up her own mind as to whether she wants to hunt or fish, etc.  I’ve never wanted to pressure her into any of the outdoor activities that I’m involved in, and I truly practiced what I preach this past weekend.

As many of you have read, we’re lucky and privileged, because Abby’s Grandma and Papa have a little 10 acre piece of heaven not very far from us.  This property is a perfect place to relax and have a bonfire; it’s a perfect place to fling a few arrows; it’s a perfect place to camp, if we choose; and it’s also a perfect place to have a little fishing pond, which I’ve written about on this blog many times.

As the weekend got closer, I envisioned Abby and I pulling in a few small gills from the  pond on the property.  I was very hopeful that we’d spend at least a half hour or so casting, waiting, and eventually reeling in some bluegills.  Of course, my plans and her plans were slightly different – she was more interested in playing in the grass, running up and down the hills, and playing in the sand, rather than fishing – but it ended up opening my eyes to something else, which I hadn’t been paying much attention to:  Abby didn’t really want to fish, but her little cousin, Benji, certainly did.

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I’ve never really thought of myself as a bug wuss.  We have plenty of the little buggers running and flying around our neck of the woods, but they’ve never seemed to bother me.  Even when a nasty spider makes his way anywhere close to me, I just handle the situation – no whining, screaming or crying needed.  And though I hate mosquitoes – despise them, actually – since I discovered the ThermaCELL, my hunting, fishing and camping excursions have been much more enjoyable.  I’ve lived in a world of bug bliss, I guess.

But it was a different story in the U.P.

The mosquitoes were a different breed up there; they would blow right through the ThermaCELL barrier, and bite the crap out of you.  And while I still have full confidence in the ThermaCELL’s ability, these particular mosquitoes were convinced that they were going to eat all of us ALIVE; it didn’t matter how well the ThermaCELL barrier was or wasn’t working.

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I’m pretty sure of it, actually.  He really is trying to kill me.

A few years ago, while on one of our bow fishing excursions, his boat actually sank.  Luckily for us though, we managed to make it to a canal that was only a few feet deep; the boat was actually sitting on the bottom………..until the bilge pump finally caught up and managed to drain the boat enough to allow us to head to shore.

That little mishap, at first, I blamed on operator error.  It was a new boat, and trying to drive one at 1am is an experience in itself.  I moved on from that little encounter, and thanked my lucky stars that I didn’t have to tread water in the dark.

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The morning was gorgeous – 60 degree temps, little wind, and some sunshine.  My spirits were high, and my hopes were even higher.  But I forgot one very important thing – I was fishing with Jeff.

Everyone knows that if you fish the same water with Jeff- river or stream included – that you will be lucky to catch one fish, while Jeff lands every fish in the lake, including the biggest one of the day.

It’s just the way it goes.  And this day would be no different.

After losing one decent pike at the boat, and then setting the hook on another, only to feel it shred the line and leave me with nothing to show for my efforts other than some frayed, lure-less line, I was a little irritated.  Not to be deterred though, we headed down to the other end of the lake; there’s a heck of a drop off on this end of the lake, and the bass tend to sit right on the edge of it.

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As with all hunting and fishing excursions, this morning’s trip started out with promise.  Unfortunately, though, that promise eventually turned into a very disappointing trip.

Jeff, Ron and I all headed out to Duck Lake in Calhoun County for our first fishing trip that required a boat.  The problem with the entire trip though, was that it was our “first” of the year; and the first time out with any type of mechanized vehicle – on land or water – always has its share of interesting moments.

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