gone fishin'

My father gave Nick a fishing pole for his birthday. It's been a month, and he still hadn't had a chance to try it. Rich got around to putting on the hook, line and sinker yesterday, and so, Nick having been reminded of the unused pole, it was perhaps inevitable that he came home from school eagerly demanding to go fishing. Right now! I can't say I reacted with equivalent enthusiasm, but after he rushed through his homework I agreed that we could try the new fishing pond at North Park. And you know, it was fun. I don't know why I'm so reluctant to try new things, really; if I just relax and go with the flow I usually have a good time.

Nick didn't catch a darn thing, but he got lots of casting practice. Some other kids showed up with their dads, and Nick let them try out the pole; they had a fine time pretending to catch a big 'un and arguing about whether that brown thing in the water really was a turtle, or just a log. Zoe spent a lot of time sticking the net in the water and pulling it out again. Sometimes she caught a bit of seaweed, which was extra exciting. After we'd been there about an hour, I decided it was about time to head home for dinner. Nick wanted more time, of course, but in short order he'd caught the line on a patch of weed. By the time he'd worked it loose, the hook and sinker were no longer attached. I felt quite comfortable declaring that to be the official moment the fishing trip ended. 

We'll be going on a cub  scout camping trip in about a month. I expect that's when the pole will come out next.  And Nick will be ready and waiting.