It broke my heart last Saturday morning when Sierra pushed the canoe off with me and her cousins Montana and Sammy. It was 5 AM and we were headed fishing to Back Bay here in Wolfeboro. Sierra wanted to go so bad but she had morning gymnastics and an afternoon softball game. As I suspected, after we were out of sight she broke down crying.
When I got back and found out I cheered Sierra up by promising her a special morning in Back Bay with me all of her own for today. Every time I saw her this week she was counting the hours. Let’s just say it was worth the wait.
First of all, the morning was stunning. Wolfeboro Bay was glass calm right from our dock at 5 AM till we quit at 9. We were the only boat for the trip across to Back Bay and we heard the loons all the way. As I always do for panfish, I rigged Sierra’s pink outfit with a small Chernobyl ant and paddled her along the edge of weeds and logs. She ended up landing two rock bass, three bluegill and three pumpkinseeds (yes she was counting).
The highlight for her however wasn’t catching a bunch of fish. Last Saturday with her cousins I dove over board and caught them a painted turtle to play with before letting him go. I think deep inside Sierra wanted her “Uncle Jeff” to come through for her as well. I did.
I still got it!