It was a great time. Wish you could have been there also.
It all started out by doing our part to pick up trash in the parking lot and dock area, we had someone take time to wash the tables under the paviloin in the picnic areas. By the time everyone did their part it looked much better. We need to remind our fellow outdoor enthusiasts of the duty, responsibility, and stewardship we have over our resources. Thanks to all involved in the clean up!
After brief introductions and a continental breakfast. Dave of Cajun Archery, took time to explain bowfishing to the novices, and offered to set anyone up with equipment if they didn't have it. I had hoped to purchase a strap on gadget mount for my bow, but he didn't have one available. Dave looked at my sons bow and pulled off the reel from his sons bow and said "here you go, keep it, it's used!" Thanks Dave!!!
We got Mason's rig ready to go.
About the time we were all getting ready to go out, my son Mason was standing on the dock and sees a carp just off the bank and wants to put a stock on it. I told him "go for it!!!"
Mason crept through the willows and weeds. I kept 1/2 step right behind him coaching him through it. In retrospect, I probably didn't need to coach, I guess it is a thing that dads will do. As he cleared the weeds deep breathing set in, I was worried that he would hyperveltilate. He brought the bow up and did a half draw and let it down. The carp gods must have been looking over him. He was able to pull back again and let it fly. With as flash and a flash the carp was gone. As he turned around he had the biggest grin on his face his breathing was fast, and he said to me "Dad, that was fun, I'm shaking". I told him "congradulations you have buck fever". Buck fever, a 10 year old boy on a 6# carp, it just doesn't get any better than that.
We boarded a 14' row boat with Guy Perkins as our guide & motored out under the bridge and to an island. The fish were schooling in a couple feet of water. Others were near the bank in the cat tails. Mason shot several times and just missed the fish. He handed the bow to me and said "I'm getting tired."
My first shot was a miss, I told Mason not to feel bad, we all miss from time to time. When I connected on the first fish I could see that his energy was coming back, by the second fish he was ready to go.
Mason's might have missed another, but as I remember it, his next 2 shots were hits, right in the old Noggin and through the gills. To say he was excited would be an understatement, to say I was excited would be as well. A bow fisher was born that day.
I had BIG hopes of hero pictures to, but my camera was dead. Guy took some pictures of Mason & I with fish. We will see them in the near future I am sure.
The day was absolutely priceless. The Kids had an absolute blast. I did not do an official count but we were probably pushing 40 people.
Camp Chef (Guy) and Cajun Archery (Dave) were excellent hosts. BIG THANKS TO THEM!!!
Topic: Utah - Carp-a-palooza (Read 238 times)
