Last Sunday I decided to take our youngest girl, Carly, out on a hunt for an early birthday gift (birthday is coming up July 9). Earlier this year she had mentioned that she thought she could use a new fishing pole to take the place of Hannah Montana which was pole number two of her fishing career, replacing the original, stubby Disney Princess pole she got from her Papa the day she was born. Certainly sounded like a good thing for the birthday list so off we went for a rig and then some fish with brother, Jayce.
Sweet when your kid wants a fishing pole for her birthday, my kind of shopping.
Brothers pitch in to get Carly set up
Stats
Date: June 25, 2017
Location: Work Pond and Hennepin Canal (Colona, IL)
Time: 6:30pm-8:30pm
Totals: 8 bluegill, 1 golden shiner (C = 6 bluegill, J = 2 bluegill, 1 shiner)
Bait: Waxworms on a jighead hung from a slip bobber
Notes & Nonsense
Like Ike, Sorta – Carly has become fond of one of my ultralight spinning rigs and has also become quite proficient in her casting while leaving the good old spincast model behind. We hit a local sporting goods joint that features a good selection of rod and reel combos and she immediately found one to her liking, the only one of that particular model left on the rack. The 6’, medium action Abu Garcia Mike Iaconelli rod looked to be just the ticket and I liked her choice. I felt that it offered the versatility I foresee her needing as we expand beyond panfish one of these days and she has her eye on reeling in a catfish as well. I’d also like to hook her up with a Senko wacky rig at some point and see her battle some of those strip pit bass that I’m a little fond of as long as she don’t get to hollering like Ike though, can’t take much of that as I prefer to celebrate a bit more quietly via fist pumps and blog entries.
Work Pond – So, me and the boys got her spooled up with some 8-pound Trilene and she hopped in the truck with Jayce and I to test out the new rig. First stop was a pond where we’d enjoyed a couple decent days fooling some bass with our customary waxworms hung from a slip bobber. However, after a half hour and two lost fish (one spit the jighead in the moss and another got snagged and busted off) my crew was ready to hit the road and a bit disappointed along with their dad.
Success amidst some fun scenery on the Hennepin Canal constructed over 100 years ago
Hennepin Canal – On the way home I decided to take a drive by the Hennepin Canal in Colona, IL just to have a look. Well, a look was all it took and my young anglers’ batteries were recharged to go at it again. This time around we found some cooperative fish to the tune of eight bluegill and a shiner. But that was only part of the fun.
Introducing “Old McDeadhead”, catches don’t have to be alive to be enjoyed
First Catch – Our first fish was actually a dead minnow that I fished out of a bit of retaining wall. Jayce named it “Old McDeadhead” and lugged him around for a while before hooking him up and casting until Old McDeadhead’s body eventually gave out.
This is why you take four poles for only two fisherkids. Prepare for the unexpected or inevitable, tough call on the exact designation.
Brush With the Law – Shortly before we called it a night, a police vehicle with lights flashing came zipping down the road and pulled over to where we were trying our luck. I was about to dig my fishing license out just in case, but instead, the lady officer asked if we had seen some sort of domestic incident with a couple in a red pickup. Fortunately, we had not as my kids don’t need that kind of adventure on a field trip. It’s tough enough explaining some of the fascinating “whys” associated with Mother Nature let alone tackling some idiot’s interpretation of human nature.
An exciting evening and some good family time in the great outdoors. I had not fished the Hennepin Canal prior to this stop but I’d have to say that the location we chose not only saved the day but also bodes well for some future outings. Certainly looks to have some potential for Carly to wind up with that catfish she’s after…we’ll see. Talk to you later. Troy