As you are flipping the pages of this well read publication, I will be on a float plane headed north to Metionga Lake compliments of Ignace Outposts for a week-long adventure fishing and scouting for this fall’s upcoming moose bow hunt.
Although both my children are grown and have their own lives now, I do wish at times they were young again and accompanying me on adventures like these.
With today’s fast paced world for our young folks, it’s imperative we get them back to the simplicity of nature and family outdoor excursions.
There’s nothing better than seeing a huge smile on a child’s face after catching a fish. Better yet, there’s nothing more fun than being on a boat with kids when it happens!
I know when my children were young, it was something I looked forward to when we had the opportunity to get out and catch a few walleyes.
Of course my job in the boat was to do everything except put my own line in the water, however, it was worth every bit of effort in order to see the joy those kids were experiencing away from the modern electronic world.
Today I am seeing more and more families out on the water and it’s a welcomed sight, to say the least.
Family fishing has created several benefits to experience as a family unit.
First off, in some locales, cell phone signals are not available, which means no phone calls, emails or texts.
“Not good,” say the kids! Better yet, just make that gadgetry stay at home!
Secondly, it puts everyone in close proximity to actually have a face-to-face conversation in a private setting with no distractions.
Thirdly, it’s a time to bond while having fun; catching some rays, and putting some fresh fillets in the live well.
Women are getting more involved in the hunting and angling sports, which in turn has led to more families enjoying the outdoors simply because the kids follow suit in most cases.
Hunting and fishing was considered more of a guys gig back when, but as the years have progressed, women have come on the scene in a big way.
There are probably more women hunters out there today than there ever has been, and now offered are specific women’s lines of hunting and angling clothing, women’s bows, rifles and shotguns and there are even ergonomically designed ATVs and snowmachines for the ladies. Heck, there are even women’s professional fishing tours on television!
I am a huge believer in giving young people opportunities in the outdoors they may otherwise never receive, and what better way to do it than with mom, dad and siblings.
When I was a kid, I accompanied my dad and grandfathers all the time whether it was on the lake or in the woods, and I am so grateful I was raised in that environment as it has turned into a lifelong passion.
To this day I will still take Mom and Dad in the boat for a day out on the water. The roles are reversed, but the intentions and outcome are always the same.
I sometimes get thrown the question, “What if I don’t have a boat, but I want to take the family out a couple of times during the summer?”
Simple, most resorts and lodges rent boats and motors, at least they do at the couple of hundred I have been to over the years.
There are many families out there who would like to rent a cabin for a weekend all inclusive with a boat and motor. It’s a great way to be able to take the gang fishing for a couple of days without having to drop thousands on a boat package.
This is very easily achievable and affordable. Of course there is some added expense in the purchasing of fishing rods and tackle, but it’s something that will be used again for many summers as I’m sure once the family experiences this, they will be repeat customers!
There are literally hundreds of resorts and lodges within a three-hour drive of Thunder Bay that can accommodate and offer these things. So do yourself a favour and get online and check them out.
Your family will love you for it. Hey who knows, there may be a future tournament angler in the family that doesn’t even know it yet!