I get asked all the time if I do any guiding and folks are surprised when I tell them I don’t. The reason I don’t is that I have such little time at home these days and when I’m home I cherish my time fishing with Granny or friends. I do take a few special folks fishing however whenever I can. That’s my nieces and nephew.
Today here in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire I took my sisters kids Sierra and Eli to Back Bay. However, there was no goofing around with a leisurely “kids” departure time like 8 am. I made the kids sleep with me out on the porch at camp and we got up at 4:45 am. A proper time to go fishing.
You’d think waking an 11-year-old and a 7-year-old so early would be a feat especially because it was also very cold overnight. Nope. In fact, young Eli woke me three times starting at 2:15 am asking if it was time to go yet. 4:45 was a piece of cake for both of them.
The mist rose off the surface of Lake Winnipesaukee while we made the 15-minute canoe crossing across Wolfeboro Bay during sunrise. We went under the town bridge then I rigged each of their kids rods with a Chernobyl ant. For kids learning to fly fish keep the leader short and heavy to help prevent tangles.
Although young, these kids can cast. They’ve each been fly fishing several years and we practiced a couple days ago with the Scientific Anglers casting rod and no doubt it helped. Sierra caught a small yellow perch on her first cast then Eli followed up with a pumpkinseed sunfish.
While guiding the kids I keep a watchful eye for birds and animals to point out. I managed to catch this little painted turtle and the kids enjoyed playing with the colorful guy before letting him go. We also got a close look at a huge snapping turtle. I always see the big ones in the distance in Back Bay but we had a brute rise for a breath right next to the canoe then sank to bottom in a mere 8 feet deep of clear water. The kids got to check him out for several minutes before he swam away as if he was a sea turtle in the ocean.
Despite the quick start, fishing wasn’t fast and furious. The kids caught around a dozen fish total – a mix of pumpkinseeds, bluegill and yellow perch. Both kids need to improve on their hooksets and keeping a tight line with a hooked fish. The best fish the kids caught was this saucer sized bluegill.
At one point Sierra handed me her pink fly rod so she could eat her breakfast. I couldn’t help but drop a few casts myself. I ended up catching one of the largest New Hampshire bluegills I’ve ever seen. Nice work by Sierra with her photography!
Eli had to leave at 8:45 to head to a special summer science class. My sister picked him up at the Back Bay docks. After he left I broke out my Winston and Sierra and I popped one of my largemouth bass spots. It was slow but I raised this 14 incher which to Sierra was quite impressive.
Sierra fished our boat dock most of the day upon return. She put a hurt on the rock bass. We’re stoked to have some nice weather again. I had so much fun with the kids this morning that I plan to do it again tomorrow. Sierra and her best cousin, Montana, will join. Seems every time I get the two young ladies together fun things happen. Stay tuned. . . .
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