TAKIN’ THE ‘IS’ RIVER FISHIN’

You know from previous blog posts how much I enjoy river fishin’.

The Elkhorn River near Waterloo, NE.

But, what’s important for us veteran outdoor enthusiasts -  us older duffers – (I turn 50 years of age on August 11th) to do is to pass on our passion of what we know and love in the great outdoors of Nebraska to the next generation. We need to inspire these young-uns to continually bug their parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. to repetitively take them outside to enjoy outdoor activities and do the same ourselves. The kids in my own family have grown up so darn quickly. Since they’re very busy with their adult lives, and being one who practices what he preaches, I took my buddy Andre and his 6-year old daughter Isabelle, a.k.a. the ‘Is’, out recently to do some fishing in the Elkhorn River near Waterloo, NE. After Isabelle buckled on her life jacket, the fun began. She caught several different speciesof fish and a smooth softshell turtle. She had a riot! Take a look!

Isabelle hooks and reels in a hard-fighting common carp!

She proudly poses with her catch.

The 'Is' refused to put her rod down in a rod holder.

'Is' lands a flathead catfish and Dad lends assistance holding it.

Isabelle gets a channel catfish.

Isabelle took this pic of a smooth softshell turtle she caught. She said it was like a 'pancake turtle'.

“In the end they will conserve only what they know, know only what they understand, and understand only what they have been taught.”  Baba Dioum