Jul 22 2008
Cheap Summer Activities: Gone Fishing
When I was a little girl, my parents spent almost every summer out on a river or lake fishing. It was an expected vacation for me during the summer and every fall was the expected hunting trip. I, unlike my sister, absolutely loved fishing. There was something about sitting quietly, reflecting on stories that swam through my head as surely as the fish swam through the water that made the day perfect for me.
It was a quiet place that was occasionally interrupted by the shouts and flurry of reeling in the “big one.” Of course, the big one was never that big but in my mind, as I held up a fish bigger than my two hands were wide, I had a sense of pride that I had set records in the size of fish that I caught.
Now a days, I’m not as big about fishing as when I was younger. I seemed to have grown squeamish over the years and shudder at the practice of inserting a hook through a worm. My kids, on the other hand, rejoice when we plan a fishing trip and it is a great way to spend the day without having to worry about too much money.
Okay, before I go into anything, yes fishing can cost a lot of money but if you do it properly than it should cost too much. You will of course need a rod, reel and the other equipment for fishing but you don’t need to go top of the line for these things. A cheap kids fishing rod is perfect for a whole season or two of fishing. My kids have a fishing rod that cost 14.99 and it has lasted several years already. Adult rods can also be inexpensive so if you are looking for a rod simply for the enjoyment of taking your kids out, then by all means, go with a cheap rod.
After that, all you really need are hooks, weights, bobbers and some bait. You can get the first three things in kits for under 20 dollars and the last one can cost as little as 2.50. When I fish with my kids, we get very small fish, that do not require a net.
Lastly, a fishing liscence for the adult taking the kids on the fishing trip and for any children over 12 and you are all set.
When you first start up with this cheap summer activity, you often wonder if it is cheap after all. There are a number of items that you need but they can be reused several times. For instance, now when I take my kids out fishing, it costs us about $20 to $30 per trip. This includes gas, a picnic lunch, some worms and a quick stop at a local ice cream shop at the end of the day.
With the rising cost of everything, this is a very cheap day for four and we have a lot of fun. Since I despise fish, we toss everything we catch back and the only thing that we capture are photographs. I am sure the fish are relieved as I gently release them back into the water and I know I am overjoyed that I don’t have to scale and gut a bunch of fish.
So if you are looking for a cheap activity that is a lot of fun, try a day going fishing and don’t forget to pack some sunscreen, bug repellent and a nice picnic.
If you want some great tips on fishing and fly fishing in particular, visit Fly Fishing Dish.
Sirena Van Schaik
*The photos are of me on some river in British Columbia when I was about 5.*
Related Posts -
Summer Safety: Poison Ivy Whether you are out hiking, camping or simply up at the cottage, chances are you may run into some poison ivy, or actually, your child may run into some poison ivy. There really is no way around it, beside keeping your child locked in the tent throughout the entire trip...... - Mother's Day Gift Ideas With Mother's Day less than a week away, many of you are probably thinking about what you need to get your mother or possibly your spouse on behalf of your kids. I am a firm believer that a spouse should pick up the reigns of Mother's Day or Father's Day if the......
-
Father's Day Craft: Amazing Tie Tacks I know that every year, hundreds of fathers will be getting something that fathers have been receiving for decades. It's fast, it's simple and doesn't every dad need a tie. I know for myself, I have always tried to avoid purchasing a tie for any occasion (I hate to run...... -
Buying a Layette Part One As every parent knows, babies come with a lot of stuff and it never seems to slow down. First they need a layette, then they need toys, then they need more clothes and more clothes and then they need every electronic gadget known to mankind. Okay, maybe the last is...... -
Summer Sun Protection Summer is here, and although sunscreen is something that you should think about all year round, it is even more important to remember it now. Sunscreen can be a pretty big mystery as to which ones to purchase and what you need to protect against and what SPF you should......
Related Websites -
Three Great (and Cheap!) Fishing Rods [/caption]Let's be honest: not everyone is obsessed with fishing. For the non-fish-freaks among us, buying complicated fish-finding equipment, renting a boat, and pursuing the biggest species isn't always a possibility. Of course, that doesn't mean we're not avid fishermen once you put a rod in our hands. If you plan...... -
Weekly Roundup: Life Skills Edition Some exciting news to share from The Life Skills Network. We've added two new members to the team! On behalf of the other members of the network, I'd like to extend a warm welcome to Marc and Angel Hack Life, and Simple Mom. Both are extremely popular sites in their...... -
Outdoor Activities for the Camping Trip [/caption]You've already got the family set up on your camping site - a fire going to prepare lunch, two tents raised, more firewood for later, and a cooler full of cold drinks waiting to be consumed. So far, so good, right? There's just one problem. What do you do now?...... -
Yosemite Trout Fishing Guide (In Full Color) User Reviews Send this to a friend Yosemite Trout Fishing Guide (In Full Color) Manufacturer: Frank Amato Publications Customer Rating: List Price: $15.95 Sale Price: $14.85 Availibility: Usually ships in 24 hours Free Shipping Available Buy Now Product Description Yosemite National Park is no doubt one of the most...... -
Five Distinct Fishing Techniques [/caption]If you've ever taken your child out swimming and haven't been sure about what kind of techniques to teach, don't worry: you're not alone. Many of us who would like to consider ourselves fun-loving and adventurous are willing to go out on a fishing trip, but how often do we......
No related posts.
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
