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Wednesday 9 May 2018

The trouting gene

It’s a high cloud day and nature is beginning to wake up. 





It’s 18 degrees Celsius, without any wind and Scales Pond is perfect. The first week in May and flies are out in abundance, not the biting kind, pesky ones, almost mosquito size with fuzzy antennae. We swat them even though they don’t bite. The real story is at water’s edge however.


It is a family fishing adventure with our two granddaughters. The girls have sampled fishing in the U. K. on one of their visits. Now their mother wants them to experience fishing on their island home. Our daughter loves this fishing or trouting as we call it.





Claire spent time with my husband’s father trouting as a young child. We went camping with my in-laws when Claire was young and my father-in-law introduced her to the wonders of the pursuit of trout.


Let’s face it, it is not much of a pursuit. You stand by the body of water and drown a few worms as you wait and flick, wait and flick. Our daughter loved it. Any time she caught a fish, you could hear her all over the pond. In between, she and Poppy, as she called him, talked about anything and everything. She was hooked by Poppy for sure and the trouting was fun by association.


Not so her father. My husband has less than fond memories of the same thing. He hated every minute spent swiping at flies, stood in the same spot, catching his hook in a tree or on the bottom of a pond. 






No pleasant memories there as his father retrieved the pole or put on a new hook. On this expedition, he spent time with 11 month old Owen, as he pushed the stroller along the trail by the pond. He couldn’t bear to have “a few flicks” as his father called it.





We determined on this expedition the girls have the gene as well. Caitlin caught two fish which they released back into the pond. Sylvie is determined to catch a fish the next time. They, with our daughter, will happily wet a line this season while the rest of us happily don’t. My husband and I wonder about baby Owen though. Will he like the slow pursuit? Only time will tell.

41 comments:

Debra She Who Seeks said...

I enjoyed fishing until I actually caught a fish. Feeling the fish fight me on the line finished the fun for me.

DJan said...

I've never been fishing (or trouting), and I don't think it's the type of activity I would enjoy. I guess you're right, Marie: you are either born with the gene or you are not. :-)

Anonymous said...

Cute photos. I imagine Owen will enjoy trouting too.

Bill said...

Nice photos. I love eating fish but fishing never did appeal to me, I guess I just didn't enjoy standing around waiting for a bite. :)

Debbie said...

fishing is a great sport, i like sports that you can do with a group, or do alone!! with that said, i personally, never enjoyed fishing!!

beautiful images of the girls!!!

Anvilcloud said...

I could probably stand the fishing but not the catching part. lol

William Kendall said...

Good shots! It's admittedly not an appealing pastime for me.

Mage said...

:)

Barbara said...

I think fishing is fun. But I hate the hook in their little mouse even though I mostly throw them back. It always makes me sad when I go with a real fisherman that keeps the fish and claims them and we eat them. I guess it's a girl thing but maybe not just girls. If your dear one didn't get the fishing gene , I'm glad he was up for the outing and enjoyed being with the family.

Elephant's Child said...

Oh the memories. My father was an avid freshwater fisherman. It was not uncommon for us to follow him with a frying pan. When he caught was when we ate. He tied his own flies too.
Somehow not of the rest of us caught the bug...

Rhodesia said...

I used to love trouting in South Africa, relaxing, no midges and dinner maybe at the end of it.
The only time I have hated midges to any degree was in Scotland, and with all the bites I looked like I hed measles!! Dreadful. Have a good day Diane

Celia said...

I love fishing. Fished with my Dad and my kids father for years, both fresh and salt water. Of my two sons one is a die hard fisherman and the other wouldn't go even if you paid him, nor does he eat fish. You just never can tell. When I was working I loved standing on a bank somewhere contemplating the world and breathing fresh air. Fly fishing especially seems like more an introvert's avocation.

Joanne Noragon said...

How fortunate there's so much else to do while fisherpeople fish.

Ginnie Hart said...

You have caused me to remember a delightful song from years ago, Marie, called "God loves to talk to little boys while they're fishing," by Bill and Gloria Gaither: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5te8OTvw940. I'll be singing that the rest of the day! :)

Danielle L Zecher said...

My dad had the bright idea that the whole family should fish when I was a teenager. I feel the same way about it that your husband does. Fortunately my dad gave up on the idea pretty quickly. It does seem to be one of those things people have very strong opinions about.

Marie Smith said...

I couldn’t get into it either, Debra.

Marie Smith said...

Hat’s my take on it Jan. Some have it, some don’t!

Marie Smith said...

He will probably enjoy going with his family Mildred.

Marie Smith said...

The flies and mosquitoes which accompanied the standing around always got to me Bill.

Marie Smith said...

I think lots of people enjoy it Debra. They see something I don’t. Give me a camera and I am set for hours.

Marie Smith said...

Lol. The catching part doesn’t bother pur girls AC.

Marie Smith said...

I’d rather use the camera too William.

Marie Smith said...

Seeing the girls enjoying the day gave me a smile, Mage.

Marie Smith said...

My husband and I had a great day with the kids Barbara, sans trouting.

Marie Smith said...

I can picture the scene with the frying pan EC. 🙂

Marie Smith said...

The black flies and mosquitoes do me in too Diane.

Marie Smith said...

My FIL was an extrovert who love fly fishing so I guess that can happen too Celia.

Marie Smith said...

Give me a camera and I’m set for hours Joanne.

Marie Smith said...

Great memory Ginnie. I’ll give it a listen.

Marie Smith said...

I agree Danielle. I hate it too.

Tabor said...

I have people who hate outdoors from my relatives by marriage, but my kids love it and while they are not as crazy about fishing as their father, they still will attempt it.

Debbie said...

hehehehe, oh me too!!!

jenny_o said...

My father taught my brother and I to fish brook trout, then he taught both our sets of kids. I stopped going when my empathy gene kicked in, and thirty years later so did our daughter. I'm pretty sure I could catch something if I was starving, but up to that point I will take a pass :) It's a wonderful thing for a grampa to spend time with grandchildren so it's nice that your granddaughters like it.

jenny_o said...

And that first picture! There's something special about that one, even in the midst of all your usual special photos, Marie.

Marie Smith said...

They have the genes!

Catarina said...

: ))) Very "exciting" experiences!! It is in their genes, I am sure!

I had a fishing rod once. I can be patient.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

I think fishing is one of those pastimes you either get or you don't. I think for some it becomes a passion, they get hooked.. sorry couldn't resist 😀 Love these shots Marie and that your daughter has such fond memories shared with her Poppy.

Marie Smith said...

It is a family activity for us, Jenny.

Marie Smith said...

The buds in contrast to the blackbird caught my eye Jenny.

Marie Smith said...

Patience is a good quality to teach children, Catarina.

Marie Smith said...

Our daughter is hooked for sure, PDP.