Hi All
Since my 1st born (now 2&¼ yrs old) was able to walk, his obsession with my boat and fishing gear continues to intensify (obsession is becoming an understatement!). He can’t go anywhere near the driveway without hopping into the boat, or walk past a rod without picking it up and pretending to be reeling in a fish, or open the esky in the hope of seeing some fish that he can manhandle! So far, he can competently plug the hose in, start the motor, and trim the motor up & down from both the throttle and motor itself. Last week, he did all the prep and was patiently waiting in the boat to flush the motor. So I went to jump in and he pushes me out. I’m thinking ‘what the?’, go to jump in again and same again! This time I asked why I couldn’t jump in – his response? ‘Hose on’! I stood back in astonishment as I realised I hadn’t turned the tap on!! And all of 2yrs old…
Nonetheless, the next step in his development is to actually catch a fish! Easier said than done at this age, as they have the attention span of a sparrow! So, with today being ‘appease the wife day’ (as I was out fishing all night Wed and then home at 2am this morning from a function at the Novotel Twin Waters), we decided to head down to the coast for lunch and a swim. Sensing a potential opportunity, I grabbed a rod and travel pack of tackle & ‘Chemical Ali’ worms from the freezer, and we headed down.
Following lunch, we arrived at the Labrador playground on the water and set-up. Keen as mustard, he grabs the worms and we hooked one up. I cast out and stuck in the rod holder – to his dismay! He thought it would be better if he started reeling it in! Following a little explanation that we had to wait for the fish to come to dinner, he was happy to trudge off and have a swim. 10mins later and i suggested we check the rod, so over he bounds and wrestles it out of the holder. Much to his anger, I laid back on the rod to see if there was a sleeper on there – and BINGO! There was! I handed him the rod and went to give him a steadying hand but he was having none of it! ‘No Baaba!!’ Ok, no it is then! It was the funniest thing watching this uncoordinated attempt at bringing in a fish (with a 4 ball sinker too). He got it to within 5m where he started to fade. So, he let me give him a steadying hand until we had it up on the beach.
Wasn’t he one excited little fella as picked the whiting up and started hugging it and tickling it (he’d been watching Rexy with me this morning who just happened to tickle a fish)! Anyway, some happy snaps and then it was time to send it on its way. Unfortunately, I think he’d hugged it to death and just wouldn’t kick away despite 5mins of attempts. Eventually, it came home with us and got added to Wednesday’s fillets for the barbie tomorrow! We had 2 more casts in between swimming but as the mission was accomplished, I didn't care too much!
A 1st PB for the little fella at 27cm! Not a bad way to start his account!!!
Take Care T
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how switched on and quick witted tots are these days, I have a 5 yr girl + 7 yr boy and they help and amaze me all the time, the 17 yr old ? he can lift a dumbell but never a dish cloth or a finger to help out, 
