Steelhead and kids!

[Splitshot]

What do you think about a 9 year old kid who says he would rather have a fishing pole that he could use for salmon, musky and big pike than a game boy. On Saturday I had to attend a breakfast to help plan a wild game dinner in Eaton Rapids so I invited Jake to go with me and afterward, I thought I would take him to Cabela’s.

We made a day of it, but on the way back he made it clear that he thought he could handle winter steelhead fishing. I knew he was dying to try out his new rod and reel so when I got him home, I said I would talk to grandma to see what her plans were and to call me about 10 am.

At 9:59 AM the phone rang. Hi Jake “How are you”; I said. “Fine” he replied “What do you have planned for the day Jake?” Well um, ah, well, umm did you talk to grandma Laurie? Oh darn, I forgot I replied. Oh Jake said in a low voice. Anyway Jake I continued; “What do you think about going steelhead fishing?” “Think you can be ready in an hour?”. “I’m ready now!” he said even before the words were out of my mouth.

We stopped to eat in Ionia and I called Dennis to see what he had planned for the day. He and his son Brett had been out squirrel hunting at grandpa’s but was now on his way back home. We decided to meet on the river and see if we could hook any fish.

Jake hooked a couple of trout right off the bat, and then Brett hooked a nice steelhead and with a little coaching from his dad, landed the fish. Jake walked up river a ways and hooked a big one too, only just for a few seconds. Then Dennis landed a smaller male and then it was Brett’s turn again. This time the big steelhead broke water and quickly left with a tail wag.

Jake’s parents were very pleased with the two steelhead Jake brought home and they are on the menu for Tuesday. We had an outstanding day and the fun of watching the kids have fun was the best part.

Jake's mother's idea of a fishing hat.
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/533/medium/01-07-07_Jake.jpg

Brett fighting his steelhead.
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/533/01-07-07_Brett.jpg

Brett with a nice male.
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/530/medium/01-07-07_Brett_w-steel.jpg

Brett letting Jake share in the glory. This picture tells it all.
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/530/01-07-07_Brett_n_Jake.jpg

[toto]

That right there tells it all. This should mandatory for all fishermen to take a kid fishing. Nice job Ray.

[live2fishdjs]

Very cool. What kind of rod is Jake sporting their?

[STEINFISHSKI]

Jake and Brett, you guys rock! Nice job Ray and Dennis too.

[Jason Adam]

My absolute favorite photos I have are kids(and adults) holding the biggest fish they've ever caught. The smiles on thier faces are priceless. Nice work...

[Gone Fishing]

Great job Jake and Brett! With a few more trips under your belts, you’ll be showing those “old guys” a thing or two!! :)

[bumpbottom]

The innocence of those kids' smiles speaks volumes about what this sport should and is all about. Great job making time for the kids!

[FREEPOP]

Great stuff there Ray.

Now tell me about this Eaton Rapids thing?

[glnmiller]

That big smile tells the whole story, that's a great kid.

[Splitshot]

John,

It is an annual wild game event held the first week in February I think. They have a big screen where they show a slide show during the dinner and they asked me if i would show some of my pictures.

I'll get the dates and PM you. I guess they expect over 400 people and it is some kind of pot luck. I think they ask for a donation, but it goes for a good cause.

They will have some speakers there, including someone from M.U.C.C.. Sounds like a good time.

Jake's rod is a St. Croix Legend I think. Anyway it is a St. Croix.

By the way, those kids are not innocent! LOL I can tell you they did have a good time.

[2manyfish]

Very nice post!

[bigjonbuck]

Uncle Splitshot shot ,great story and great pics I vote you best grandpa of the world. Know if your can teach your 10 year old grandson new tricks how about your 30 year old nephew . Ill pm ya.:fish:

[Splitshot]

Hey John,

You know you and your family are welcome any time! All you have to do is make the time!

[2PawsRiver]

As a man ages his challenges change. From being a good son, to being a good husband, to being a good father, to being a good Grandfather.................nicely done Ray:)

[mechanical head]

Great job Jake and Brett! With a few more trips under your belts, you’ll be showing those “old guys” a thing or two!! :)

What do you mean a few more trips??? It's almost scary...... other than a tangled line and needing bait every now and then those to boys can already handle themselfs on a river..It's funny really, its all just basic's, and not over engineering the sport, show the kids the proper drift presentation, they watch, listen, and repeat....

Ray hooked a steelie on the first drift, other than that the rest of the night all you heard was Jake or Brett going there's one, and a nice trout or steelie was on.................. after a while Brett had his eyes set on a tree that needed to be climbed, that gave me the opening I needed to hook the one bite I had all night...

Brett had a great day, hunting with the 410 in the morning and breaking in the new rod that evening, the only real problem he had is we should have stopped for a Hot Dog at the end of the night, (well have to remember that Ray) other than that he said his day was perfect...

[FREEPOP]

John,

It is an annual wild game event held the first week in February I think. They have a big screen where they show a slide show during the dinner and they asked me if i would show some of my pictures.

I'll get the dates and PM you. I guess they expect over 400 people and it is some kind of pot luck. I think they ask for a donation, but it goes for a good cause.

They will have some speakers there, including someone from M.U.C.C.. Sounds like a good time.


Is it at a Church on M99 / Eaton Rapids Road, just south of town? If so, I've been to one there before.

[Mitch]

Awesome!

"Mother's idea of a fishing hat!" Too funny!

Mitch

[plugger]

Great post!

[pikedevil]

Outstanding!!! Considering the pounding that river has taken the past few weeks, its very impressive that the youngsters were able to get into fish. I think they prolly outfished most that day.

[Trout King]

awesome!! you got them hooked for life!

[shalegac]

Ray I just wanted to say that you are part of the solution for the future and not the problem. Far to often kids nowadays have an undeserved sense of accomplishment and think things are just owed to them.

You took your grandson out fishing to spend time outdoors and teach him about things that matter in life. I bet he enjoyed his time with you just as much as fishing.

Congrats to all of you.

[Razzo]

That's Awsome Ray!

[thousandcasts]

Awesome report! I can't wait until my little bundles of energy are old enough to take control of the river as well! I still recall one morning last spring where Dennis and I were flogging the water while Brett was putting a hurtin' on the both of us!

Nice Job!

[Splitshot]

Thanks for the kind words but I think I get more out of it than they do. lol Toto has the right idea but it shouldn't be mandatory.

Freepop,

February 3rd at 5 PM the church 1 mile south of Eaton Rapids on M-99.