A 2 Foot Minnesotan

As you all know, I enjoy the outdoors and hope that my kids will too, though I have always felt that I didn't want them to like the things I like just to please dad. I do jump at every opportunity to get them in the wild and although I've had to change some of my own selfish big game desires, I think I've finally found another reason to love Ma Nature. With children I've learned not to focus so much on the "destination" but more on the journey. (once again, another poetic way to say "we caught no fish")

Oh, we've caught fish before. Tyler and his pal Eric have accumulated a nice chronological history of East-Central MN crappies over the years. I can look back through our photos and see quite a few examples of these buddies pulling in their fair share. Their most recent trip, just prior to Christmas, produced a handful of "eaters".

By this entry is not about the older boy's accolades. This time it's my turn to share Logan's first duet with Dad. 2 Sundays ago, after endless days of Nor'Western Freeze, the weather broke and I was intent on getting out of the house. I proposed a day of ice fishing to Michele and made an offer to take Emma with as a sign to my wife that I was serious. At 4, Emma has become independent enough to not require constant supervision and a worthy fishing buddy. Given the "go ahead", I immediately swung into my logistical readying routine. Grabbing rods and tackle, packing some snacks, staging the boots and hauling out the auger. It was then that the smallest Kirby took notice that something was brewing and began to do the Logan Hop in the living room while repeating, "Me go too? Logan too?" As I laced my Rocky's, I stared down the possibility of 2 toddlers in a small fish house but how could I say no to taking my youngest son fishing. I was almost to the point of tears: it was so damn cute to look and listen while our baby begged to fish. I stalled a bit and took a load out to the TrailBlazer. It didn't help my dilemma, Logan was still adamant that he was ready to take the big leap into the ice fishing world and Emma is always game for an adventure.


It was then that my wife devised a plan for us to each take a youngin'. The girls would head to North Branch for some post holiday shopping and the boys could hit the hard water. Emma went for it and Logan was just happy to realize that he was getting "the call." Like the rookie finally hearing from the club in the Big Leagues, Logan would, this day, get his turn to fish with Dad...just him and pops taking on the underwater world. His enthusiasm never waned as he put on his snow pants and gloves. Oblivious to the moment at hand, I continued on my pre-fishing routine and then all at one I noticed that Bear was taking it all in and appreciating every new experience along the way.


Logan's been fishing before but this was going to be different. Once I realized how BIG this one day could be for my little man, I changed my goals for the day from multiple catches to multiple memories. At the bait shop, I hung him over the minnow tank as my father once did for me. We singled out a sizable shiner among the crappie minnows and added him to our quarry. Although I heard that the fish were biting on waxies, I figured a bucketful of minnows for a 2 year old would be money well spent. My son's vocabulary continues to expand daily and endless chatter streamed from his car seat as we approached West Rush Lake. Other's took heed of a beautiful winter's day evidenced by the busy lake. More for Logan to soak in. More to see, smell and hear.

A friend of ours provided a cozy 4 hole permanent ice house. My pint sized partner watched as I screwed in the propane tank for the heater. He shuffled across the ice while I transferred gear from the vehicle to the house. As I meticulously stowed the gear on all the right hanging hooks, Bear took notes. But when I fired up the ice auger and began to drill holes, my boy stared in awe as if I was about to pilot the space shuttle. The look on his face at that moment made the entire day a complete success and we hadn't even wet a line yet.
Sure we got around to the particulars of ice fishing: the lessons about the heater, baiting of the hooks and the news of the snacks. We shared M&M's and sunflower seeds - never at the same time! Logan tended to his pole like a champ as I can attest that he reeled in to check his minnow approximately 57 times. Reeled my two rods in another 20 or so. When the action slowed, he danced or sang to keep me entertained. When the heater made a sauna out of the small shanty, Logan took the opportunity to play outside, shovel snow, and check on our neighbors. Ma called to get the official report and Bear was happy to give it to her.
The bobbers went below the surface a total 2 times in 4 hours. Both times they were met with a swing and a miss. Logan's optimism and attitude never wavered. He's my boy - already knowing that there will be other days. There will be days when "they come jumping in the boat". And days like today, when all of the entertainment you could ever need is in the minnow bucket or even sitting right across from you in the fish house. Thank you Logan. I remember another reason why I love fishing so much... because the joy it brings kids.












and the joy it brings Dads.....