We've been going to our little local fishing derby each year and each year the experience has been a little different. The first year the kids were excited to catch a fish with the help of their personal "fishing guide" in the stocked area. The following year, Randy and the boys took advantage of the one and only day to camp at the park, they pitched Cayden's tent and spent the night - kind of - it is a party atmosphere all night - it is crazy noisy all night, the fire siren goes off at midnight to signal the official opening of fishing on the lake, a fisherman's breakfast begins at 4 a.m., and everyone is trying to catch the tagged fish for the prize money. This year a 16 year old boy caught "Sir" and won $300 - I know, the prize money alone bespeaks of some serious fishing going on, (wink, wink).Electric engines are required on the lake. This was Randy's birthday present this year so he was able to take out our little fishing boat - in fact, one of the main premises behind getting the engine was just for this event.
No more just standing on the sidelines, I mean shorelines, we are vroomin!
Our friend Brent, who has been in the top 10 for the largest fish several years in a row, made some sinkers and weights and gave the boys (meaning Randy and Cayden) some tips on how to catch the BIG ONE.
The big secret is MARSHMALLOWS - these are 21st century fish and worms just don't cut it anymore. I am totally in favor of putting marshmallows on the hook versus worms, however, our ony problem was Makenzy also wanted the marshmallows, which now were prize fish bait so she had to lay off.
While the others were out on the boat, Cayden was helping Lauren, his cousin, to catch a fish - she ended up catching 2, and so did Marlie, her sister - their first fish EVER, way to go!!!
Kara, Randy, Cayden and Mark were the die hard fishers - they opted not to sleep out in the cold, it was really cold this year - but headed out at 4 a.m. in the morning to start fishing.All in all, our little group caught 18 FISH!!!
One of Cayden's fish won a top 100 spot for being large and he walked away with a camp chair and a box of candy as his prize. He is now officially the camp fish champ!
Thanks for Sandi and Mark for cleaning and cooking them all, we had a fish fry later that night that was yumma good!
