Managing expectations

[jasonh]

Last year about this time I took my 5 year old son out for a boat ride. As an afterthought, I threw a couple rods in the boat before we left. I'm glad I did because I soon spotted a large flock of seagulls hovering tightly over an area of water. I raced over there, cut the motor, and we silently drifted in towards the gulls. I tied a rat l' trap to his Spongebob fishing pole and he whipped off a hell of a cast. Instantly he hooked on to a sandbass and was just out of his mind with excitement. I helped him crank the fish in and took it off the hook for him. He casted back out and the process started over again. Eventually I dropped the trolling motor and guided us around following the school. My son must have boated 10-12 sandbass and I managed to catch a few too before they stopped biting.

So, my son's first fishing experience roughly equaled one fish per cast. He is ruined now. We can't go 2 minutes without a bite and he starts moaning about why it can't be like it was the OTHER time when we caught all those fish. "Daddy, are you sure this is a good spot? I think it stinks because I have not caught anything. Daddy are you sure you know what you're doing? I don't like this spot, I think it's a bad spot and we need to go somewhere else".

Serenity now....serenity now

 

[xtraham]

Re: Managing expectations

I feel your pain,
but try it with paying customers, that had a very good day the first time out with ya!!!!!!!!!!

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: Managing expectations

I feel your pain,
but try it with paying customers, that had a very good day the first time out with ya!!!!!!!!!!

Paying customers should have a good trip everytime...

 

[xtraham]

Re: Managing expectations

"Paying customers should have a good trip everytime..."

some of em' would not be happy if ya paid them to go...

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Managing expectations

Which is why i never chartered muh boat....
Some days ya can't even get the jacks or boneys to bite..lol

 

[jasonh]

Re: Managing expectations

He bitches about no fish, but as soon as I fire the motor up and we go cutting across the water at 40mph, he has a grin on his face you could not wipe off if you tried.

Somehow I think paying customers would not be as easily amused, so I'll charter my kid around for now and be grateful to do so.

 

[Pony]

Re: Managing expectations

IMHO eventually he will see the value of fishing with his dad more that catching any fish. I will willingly go fishing all day, knowing I wont catch anything, just to fish with my old man.

 

[OldMercsRule]

Re: Managing expectations

Great story. Kinda did the same thing myself. I took the kids to a small lake on Fidalgo Island, (sixty miles + or - north of Seattle) called "Heart Lake" for the opening day of fishin'. My Dad and I were very busy removing fish and baiting the kids' hooks. They were never as patient after that. Then we went fishing on the lake RR island is in, (which is not nearly as good of fishin' as ol' Heart Lake). We would troll up and down, (while I watched the fish finder for a school of Kokanee). My daughter hooked one, (BTW: they have a very soft bite), and she didn't think she had a fish on because she had not seen the fish on the "FISH TV"! I always remind her of that, (for a good laugh), now that she is an adult! JR 8)8)

 

[stevieray]

Re: Managing expectations

You guys are very lucky. My old man was an alcoholic & was dead by the time I was 10, so I never really got to do anything with him. Cherish EVERY moment you have together.

 

[OldMercsRule]

Re: Managing expectations

You guys are very lucky. My old man was an alcoholic & was dead by the time I was 10, so I never really got to do anything with him. Cherish EVERY moment you have together.

I agree Stevieray! I cornsider meself to be a very lucky feller! I lost my Dad Sunday night, (3/11). He was 90 years old and it was time to go. He had lived with me for the last 5 years, and it was very hard for me and my Lady Friend, (soon to be me wife), to have a life. Now he is gone, (in his sleep: THANK GOD), so now we can start to live and enjoy life more then we were able to previously. Sorry to hear of your past struggles, but keep that chin up. YOU are in charge o' things NOW, so cornsider yourself lucky and give your kids what you missed! Respectfully JR

 

[jasonh]

Re: Managing expectations

FISH TV? That's hilarious because that is the exact same term my son uses! We'll be trolling around and he watches it intently for a fish. The Hummingbird (or at least mine) assigns an icon shaped like a fish in different sizes depending on the signature, so he'll suddenly get excited if it's a bigger one and want to shut it down. If I do and nothing bites or it swims out of view he wants to go chase it down.

"DAD! STOP! There's a big one on the fish TV"!

I do value these years. It's challenging and easy to get lost in the moment when you're frustrated, but keeping in mind that he wants nothing more than to spend time with his dad and make him proud overcomes a lot of petty irritations.

 

[stevieray]

Re: Managing expectations

Sorry to hear about your loss, JR.

Mrs stevieray & I have chosen not to have kids - mostly because both our childhoods were so fouled up we wouldn't have a clue how to do it right (now we would be experts on how NOT to do it)!

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Managing expectations

Sorry to hear that, Murky.....:'(
My condolences....JK

 

[OldMercsRule]

Re: Managing expectations

Thanks guys! It was a blessing, as his brain was gone, (had been for over a year), so as I said: it was time! JR

 

[OldMercsRule]

Re: Managing expectations

FISH TV? That's hilarious because that is the exact same term my son uses! We'll be trolling around and he watches it intently for a fish. The Hummingbird (or at least mine) assigns an icon shaped like a fish in different sizes depending on the signature, so he'll suddenly get excited if it's a bigger one and want to shut it down. If I do and nothing bites or it swims out of view he wants to go chase it down.

"DAD! STOP! There's a big one on the fish TV"!

I do value these years. It's challenging and easy to get lost in the moment when you're frustrated, but keeping in mind that he wants nothing more than to spend time with his dad and make him proud overcomes a lot of petty irritations.

Kids are great aren't they? Mine was an ol' interface 20-20, (on that ol' rat boat) which also shows fish on the screen, (at least I think it does). I have two newer ones on the other rat boats. JR

 

[Plainsman]

Re: Managing expectations

Nice Story Jason

Sorry about your Dad OMR, prayers for him and yours on the way.

 

[OldMercsRule]

Re: Managing expectations

Nice Story Jason

Sorry about your Dad OMR, prayers for him and yours on the way.

Thanks Eric. JR

 

[AK_Chappy]

Re: Managing expectations

IMHO eventually he will see the value of fishing with his dad more that catching any fish. I will willingly go fishing all day, knowing I wont catch anything, just to fish with my old man.

My Dad passed away last Friday and that is going to be one of the biggest things I will miss. I am glad that I got to bring my boys back at least a couple of times and went fishing with Grandpa.
My boys got me a shirt for Father's Day a while back that was perfect for me and Dad also.
It has a picture of a father and son w/fishing poles in hand. It says beside it
"Fishing is more than catching fish..........
It is being with Dad."

I think the first few fishing trips are going to be rough for me now.

jasonh,
You keep that boy fishing with you, he will always remember the trips. You both will have some very treasured memories.

AK Chappy

 

[AK_Chappy]

Re: Managing expectations

OMR,
I posted before I finished reading the thread.
I am very sorry for your loss.

AK Chappy

 

[Plainsman]

Re: Managing expectations

Sorry for loss as well AK, remembert he good times you had with your dad. My prayers to you and yours.
Eric