Summer Magic

One of my hobbies for the past two summers has been thinking up new ways to complain about the heat. One of my favorites was when I commented one day last July about how 95 degrees felt "cool." And I was serious! I guess compared to 105, 95 is cool. Then I realized that thinking 95 is cool is like thinking three-dollar gas is cheap. Anyway, I don't deal with the hot weather as well as I did when I was a kid. When I was 12, summer was  synonymous with outside. I have such fond memories of summer when I was that age, and none of those memories include being inside by the air conditioner. We road bikes to the county lake in the morning to fish. Back home by noon for lunch, then back on the bikes to the city pool by 2 p.m. We swam until 4 or so before heading home for supper. After supper we were back outside on our bikes cruising around town or shooting baskets in the driveway. At dusk, it wasn't unusual to get a neighborhood game of "Capture The Flag" going, which often lasted until well after dark. The next day, we got up and did it again. I don't remember ever worrying about how hot it was. Summer was outside, fishing, bike riding, swimming and neighborhood fun. Summer was magic.

Where Would I Be?

I was scrolling through my photo storage recently, looking for a particular image when I came across a photo my wife took in Colorado last year. It's one of my favorites of me and the big black dog trout fishing. I've always said Creede (the lab) isn't good at fishing, but he knows it's important. You can see it in his eyes, and you can see the joy on my face. The photo immediately immersed me in memories of fishing the Rio Grande. Then I wondered if those experiences would be as important and whether I'd be looking forward to our trip this fall as much if I hadn't grown up fishing with Granddad and Dad. Where would I be today with that in my past?

It's a scary thought, but it isn't real because I did grow up with that in my life. I don't dwell on the past other than to reminisce about good times, but when I think about how much those experiences have meant to me, I get pretty sentimental. Spending time outdoors with my family has been an enormous guiding factor in my life, and I'm indescribably happy that I have that. It's something to think about next time you're wondering if you have time for a short fishing trip with the kids. 

Try Panfish Now

Most kids learn to fish by catching panfish -- bluegill and green sunfish. Panfish are present in all waters, and in most small lakes and ponds, they are numerous. They're always hungry and easy to catch. I don't know too many veteran anglers who don't fondly reminisce about watching a bobber bounce as bluegill nibbled on the bait. As we progress as anglers, we often leave panfish behind while we pursue more "grownup" fish species. However, whatever your age, you can't deny that bluegills and green sunfish can be a blast to catch. And now is the time to catch them. Check out the 2012 Kansas Fishing Atlas  Find a pond, state fishing lake or community lake and fish the shallows. Bluegill have been on the spawning beds  for some time, but they're still shallow in many lakes. They'll hit small jigs, but the best way to catch them is still a small bobber and a hook baited with a piece of worm. It's hard to believe a fish that small can pull that hard, and if you're lucky enough to find some big bluegills -- 9- to 11-inchers -- hang on! Take a youngster and you'll find yourself watching the bobber through young eyes, and you'll feel 10 years old again.