My brother and sister were in town with their families last week. I was dying to get the children out for a nice fishing trip on the Saco River. Last week's hot weather prompted me to look towards the seashore for fish. So, I decided to take Nicholas and Nathan striper fishing.

When we arrived at the Marblehead ramp off of route 9 in Biddeford, the lot wasn't as full as I had anticipated. We took our time as I readied the boat; I like explaining all the components to any young passengers I take fishing. Some humor me and others listen very intently trying to learn the different techniques used to rig the boat and fishing gear.

I involve the children in the launch of the boat so they will understand how quickly things can go wrong. And just to keep things interesting, I happened to forget to release the rear tie-downs before entering the water. It was the children's job to hold on to the ropes as we launched. If you are familiar with the Marblehead ramp, the launch side of the ramp requires handling the ropes around the large pilings that hold the dock in place. Nicholas and Nathan were able to experience this twice as I pulled the boat out to release the tie-downs.

Once the boat floated, they pulled it towards the dock while I parked the rig. I love involving the children in tying off the boat and setting the bumpers. It is much more cumbersome than just doing it myself. But it is the opportunity for them to learn techniques and gain confidence in their own abilities that really motivates me to take this extra time.

While running my contracting business, I had to teach many children how to do the simplest things. Things like using a broom or climbing a ladder. It is truly a shame that our current educational system doesn't include a life skills course. Things like sweeping, shoveling and tying knots just aren't thought to children by their parents anymore. Maybe I'm just an old fart. But I like kids to learn things that they may need in the future.

Once we all boarded and got under way, I showed the children where the anchor was and a few basic controls. We started our trip by heading up river. Then I made a sharp turn into the current to release our trolling lines. We were fishing surgical tubes dressed with sand worms. Once we finally had our lines in the water, an impatient boater passed us on the starboard side. I watched as one of our poles went limp and then started to release line in a forward direction. I lifted my hands and said "there goes the rod!". I thought it would break after it's line was snagged by the passing boat's lower unit.

At the very instance that I lifted my hands in despair, the captain of the other boat glanced at us and stopped; I slowly approached him not knowing what to expect as he lifted his motor to grab the line. The line hadn't caught his prop, but was somehow tangled in the lower unit. I looked at him, and he looked at me. "Sorry about that!" he exclaimed. I smiled and said "I want to thank you for stopping, I really appreciate it!" We waved and were both on our way. Much to my surprise my rigging was still intact. The inconvenience only cost both of us several minutes because he had the courtesy to stop, and I had the courtesy to be grateful.

We made our way down river making several loops around a large pool that is usually productive. After seeing no fish boarding other boats, I asked the kids if they wanted to do a little sight seeing and we headed for the open ocean. When we arrived outside the islands, the water became too rough to handle, and we made our way back to the protection of the jetty and islands.

I looked at Nat and asked if he wanted to try his skill at the helm. To my surprise he agreed. I slowed the boat to headway speed and explained what the channel markers meant. It was hard for them to memorize "Red On Right On Return To Port". But I drilled it in and tested them several times after the trip.

Just as we approached the end of the jetty, I noticed a flock of gulls. Then a small splash appeared several hundred yards away. One of the boats anchored adjacent to the jetty was playing a striper. Then I noticed another boat anchored next to the channel landing a fish. I looked at the boys and asked "Do you want to catch a striper?". "I guess so" was the reply from Nick. That was good enough for me.

I noticed that the boat in the center of the river had landed a striper on an orange surgical tube. I quickly started to change tubes when Nathan asked "What does the color have to do with it?" I answered " I don't know Nathan. But whenever the boat next to me is catching fish, and I'm not, I switch to the color they are using and I catch fish every time!".

I slowly released twenty-five yards of line and placed the pole in Nathans hands and said "hold on to that pole!". He looked at me with a little fear in his eyes and asked "How hard do they pull?". "Well Nathan, I haven't seen one pull a fisherman out of a boat. But, there is always a first time!" Nathan held the pole and within a minute he was saying "I think I have one. I think I have one!" I looked at him and noticed he was holding on to that pole with the same concentration he uses when he picks up his violin. I knew he was going to land it. "Reel it in Nathan! I bet your going to like this one." I said with a smile.

Just at that moment, Nicks pole dipped. "I have one too! It's really pulling." I grabbed my Boga Grip on the front deck and locked it on to Nathan's fish. Flash, flash, flash. I always take three shots of the kids because I invariably get my thumb in the picture or shake too much.

As I released Nathan's fish, Nick's stiper was ready to board. I made a lunge for it and nearly fell out of the boat. Maybe I should be using a net? I use the Boga because it does not disturb the slim coat of the fish. This usually makes for a quicker recovery once the fish is released.

I grabbed at Nick's stripper again, and locked it's lower jaw into my Boga. I placed the Boga Grip in Nick's hand and told him to hold on. The fish was flaying back and forth. I felt Nick was going to drop it. Flash, flash, flash. I grabbed the Boga and released the fish. "You guy's want to catch another?" I happily asked knowing we were on top of the school. They looked at each other and replied in unison "Nooooo!"

"No? This is why we came out here!" I can't believe they wanted to call it a day after one fish. I jumped in the helm noticing the current was pushing us into a submerged part of the jetty. I gunned the engine and aimed toward the channel. Just as the boat started to plane, my LL Bean hat jumped into the water. I think it really wanted to go swimming.

Nathan looked at me "Your hat!". "I know, and it can stay there! The current is too strong; it is going to pull us in to those rocks!" I shouted. The wind was strong and the engine was whining under the strain of plowing water. I looked back at my hat and it was still floating.

"OK, here" I handed Nathan a net I use when salmon fishing. It has a special rubber netting that makes it easy on the fish but hard on the netter. "You're only going to have one chance." I positioned the boat as best as I could trying to account for the wind and current. The hat approached quickly and Nathan stuck the net into the water but the hat slipped under the boat .

I gunned the boat towards the channel again. Nathan looked back "I can see it; I can see it!" "So can I Nathan, but we're not going back for it! I kept the boat on track and headed for the center on the channel while waving to one of the fisherman that had followed the school down river as the tide went out. My boat planned easily and we headed for the landing.

I looked at the kids and asked "Did you have fun?" Nick replied "We caught fish!" Then Nathan looked at me "I would of liked to get that hat." "I know Nathan" I replied. "But safety comes first!" We made it to the dock in less than fifteen minutes; I had them help me load the boat and secure it. I took a little extra time to explain boating safety rules to them; and I showed them how to secure the boat properly. Make sure to get your children involved too!

And remember, have fun fishing, but don't chase after too many hats when your life is hanging in the balance!

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