Why I Oughta...

As seen on the dock outside of Disney's Contemporary Resort.  Looks a lot like what we see on Lake Elizabeth in Wisconsin.  There are so many things that we haven't done in the Vacation Kingdom, including fishing.  Who knows...maybe when the kids get older, we'll give this a shot.  When we were recently staying at the Boardwalk, we saw a family fishing off a pontoon boat right outside of the Boardwalk - and they kept reeling in fish after fish.  The Vacation Kingdom , indeed.  

We're now all set up with fishing rod and a little tackle box up.  We went off to Walmart and came home with a few little poles (for the two younger kids) and an intermediate one for the Babe and I even bought my own rod.  When we were picking out the equipment the lady at Walmart was very helpful and encouraged me to get a license.  After answering a handful of questions, she printed out this barcode license that says that we are supposed to carry this with us when we fish.  We didn't buy any stamps because, well, we're just beginners and we're catching a lot of little things and tossing them back. The Babe has had the most luck of the bunch.  She throws her line in - usually with a wax worm on the hook - and most sessions, she pulls out a fish.  A lot of panfish (bluegills) and a few bass (not sure if they're large-mouth or small-mouth...again....we're beginners!) so far.  The King of the Ball Tossers is currently using a casting practice weight...

Using the 'way-back machine' here on the blog (aka the Archives link on the right rail), I find that exactly eight years ago today, I was posting (from....the FeedBurner offices, I think!) about how I was prepping for our annual trip out on Montrose Harbor for smelt fishing . Those trips - which were soooo much fun - just don't take place any longer.  First, The Cactus moved away, which meant that the Sunshine Lighting crew stopped showing up.  But...the Mayor picked up the lead.  And did he ever lead.  But, he's since moved away too. And either nobody has taken out the gill nets in recent years or they're not inviting me.  (Ahem...Balone!).   These photos from the 2010 trip tell the full story of living on the end of the pier and having lots of laughs. Anyone going out on the pier this April?  If so, you'll invite me, right?  Right?!?