Teaching my daughter to wade

[Frank Macikas]

I have been kicking the idea of getting my two kids out on the river but was a little nervous on how it would go. I have a 8yr old daughter Kylie and a 6yr old son Aiden. Kylie loves to fish while Aiden can tolerate it for short periods of time. Today after work I went to go pick up the kids and with me wanting to hit the river for a little while before we get pounded with storms again and wanting to try to get the kids out, today seemed as good a day as any. After talking with the kids Aiden decided to stay at grandma's and grandpa's while me and Kylie headed to the Dupage. I knew I needed an easy wade with pretty shallow water but still wanted to catch at least a few fish so we settled on heading to Plainfield at the pumphouse on 59 and NaperPlainfield. River was in great shape again; up just a little but nice and clear. We are talking 4+ ft clarity. So first thing I drilled into her on the way there is if you fall in make sure you get on your back, feet downriver and head towards shore. When we got there got her lifevest and polarized glasses on and headed into the river right below the RR bridge. Made sure to show her how to stand and place her feet if she feels the current starts pushing too hard and told her make sure to stay close to me. She messed around in the shallow water practicing walking around into the deeper water and back for awhile then started clam shell hunting while I made some casts. Picked up a dink smallie and showed her again how to lip a bass and the differences between a smallie and the largemouth that I usually take her fishing for in ponds. She did so well that I think next time we will bring her pole and have her throwing a wacky rig to hook into some smallies. I really wish I would have brought my camera for her first wade but I didn't have any idea I would be fishing today and left it at home. Normally it stays in the car just like all my gear and waders but forgot to put it back after pulling this past weekends pics. In the car after picking up my boy from grandma's the kids called their mom to say goodnight and I was so proud to hear how excited and happy Kylie was telling her mom about our adventure today. Put a HUGE smile on my face. Today was a great day.....

[Bill C.]

Good for you Frank,I'm always tickled to see a parent or grandparent introduce their children to the creeks and rivers.
It's totally different than sitting in a boat staring at a bobber,they don't get bored.The're closer to nature and it's also refreshing.
I took one of my grandsons a few years back.First thing I did was select a safe wadeable creek on a nice day.We caught
several nice smallies,spotted several of natures creatures enjoyed some conversation and bonded.It was a day he said he would never forget.

[Frank Macikas]

Thanks Bill, I think it was an experience neither of us will ever forget. Looks like the weather is going to hold out for us and I was able to frankenstein my two nonworking pontoon boats together to make one working pontoon boat; so looks like I'm going to load up a cooler and do a very long float trip on Saturday and then maybe taking Kylie out to actually fish on Sunday morning this time bringing my camera! Water should be very clear and low by then (at least until Sundays storms come in) so should be perfect for her.