Keeping that in mind, how about doing something for her for a change? You could, for instance, take her fishing this weekend. Instead of racing around to stand in line at some restaurant where you’re going to be jostled, rushed and hassled like all the other families who think the best reward for Mom is to take her out to be jostled, rushed and hassled on “her day” – you could take her outdoors. Who knows, you just might give everyone a treat at the same time.
For years, Mom has probably watched you run out the door to your favorite fishing hole. As a kid, she may have fixed you food and something to drink to take along, then gone on about her work while you enjoyed yourself. When you got back home, if you were like me, Mom either consoled your lack of luck (you’ll get ‘em next time) or proceeded to clean your fish while you went somewhere else to amuse yourself.
That’s why it might be appropriate that you invite her out on Mother’s Day to enjoy a day of fishing. Now, I’m not talking the high-pressure, cast-and-crank kind of fishing that lands you on the FLW our BASS circuits. I’m talking about the equivalent of a cane pole, bobber and bait fishing –you know, put it in the water, relax and wait for a fish to do the work. The kind of fishing that’s not only fun, it’s therapeutic.
The idea of keeping people involved in fishing is also the reasoning behind our friend Gary Engberg’s Family Fishing Day this Saturday, May 10. As Engberg tells it, it’s a “rain or shine” event on Lake Marion, just outside Mazomanie, Wisconsin.
There will be plenty of help and knowledge on hand, too. Pro guides and local professionals will be on hand to help and lots of N.P.A.A. members who are experienced at running children fishing events. After all, Engberg says, many of them have decades of experience.
Last year, the even had more than 200 registered children taking part in the activities that included fishing, knot tying, a casting competition, live bait demonstration and a question and answer session with the pros. Okuma Fishing has donated 100 rods and reels for the first 100 participants that register, along with other prizes, give-a-ways (for kids and adults) and lunch will even be provided.
Kudos to all the businesses who are helping with the event – and Gary and his colleagues for realizing that sometimes all it takes to turn someone into a lifelong outdoor enthusiast is a reason to try the outdoors for the first time.
And if you take Mom fishing, remember you can still take her out for a nice meal – with flowers and all the “regular stuff” –afterwards.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there.
