Unplanned Bowfishing Trip with Cade...

[Guru]

We were cleaning up some old wood and such from the side of my shed in the afternoon....we had to move the canoe to get to some of it....and the lightbulb went off....

"Cade, how about we take the canoe and go bowfishing when we're done?"

One doesn't have to be genius to figure out his answer!

With all the rain lately, I knew our usual wading waters would be muddy and high. So I figured our only real shot was to hit a stretch of the river that's slow and more like a lake.

Still wasn't sure how good we'd be able to see with the dingy water, but it would be a good canoe ride with Cade at least.

We launched the canoe and could see it wasn't going to be easy seeing fish. And Cade asked, do you think we'll get any shots?"

I told him I knew we'd be around the fish and they'd be tough to see...but I bet you'll get some shots...He just smiled....

Soon we were into fish and spooking most!  They were right by us but he just couldn't see most well enough to shoot!  It was a little frustrating, but we were still having fun!
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I worked the canoe and Cade shot from the front. He had 3-4 shots that he didn't connect on, and couple that he couldn't believe he missed.  Nice to see the confidence in him.... I quote..."I should have hit that one, I can't believe I missed!".

After a bit we got to an area that we could see some fish in some backwater, but couldn't get to them with the canoe, so we got out to stalk them from the bank.

I saw a fish up ahead, and turned to tell Cade to come up...but his line had gotten hooked on some branches while walking and he'd left a bunch behind him without realizing it...so I got a chance to shoot and made good on my only shot of the evening...
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After a quick pic, and while I was still getting myself rigged back up Cade saw a fish....

I dropped my gear, and picked up my camera as quick as possible...but just missed the shot...
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But it connected, and the fight was on!!
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Yucky water shower time!
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Cade's first fish ever on what we consider our "home water" for bowfishing...the smile says it all!!
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The best is yet to come!!!  Hold on, we're going for a ride!!!

[hayslope]

Outstanding!

     

[JAG]

Thanks for sharing!  My son is grown and off in the the Army, proctecting us.  I sure miss the days afield whith him.  Be waiting for more.  Sure brings back memories!
Thanks again.
Johnny/JAG

[Tim]

Gotta luv it....

[ishoot4thrills]

Awesome, Curt and Cade! Nice fish!

   

[Guru]

So after the pix, we get back in the canoe and hadn't gone 20yds when Cade see's a ripple about 60yds. in front of us, out away from the weeds...I paddle slowly and quietly forward...

As we cruise in, I could tell he'd seen something and was soon at full draw....he held for a second, and released.....

All of a sudden everything got chaotic!

This fish had, in a split second took every bit of line that was in Cade's AMS reel and almost took his bow in the process!(first indication that this was something "special")....hmmmmmm....

Next thing I know we're being towed around(second clue that this was "different")....hmmmmmm.....
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Then Cade got it close enough to the canoe to see it good for the first time and says....Oh my goodness daddy it's huge!!!!"
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I was coaching him about landing the fish and had no clue about it's size because I couldn't see it at all. Although I was aware of what he just said, It didn't really register till he started to lift it out of the water....
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My voice instantly went higher pitched.....I was blown away by the size of this fish....Cade had killed a real "trophy" for this river...a true giant!
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In all my years bowfishing this river, between me, Gary, Timmy, and Glen....I'd never seen a fish so big shot by anyone!(weighed)

We'd always talked about the elusive #20'er.... I had a feeling this was it!

We went to shore to get things straightened out and get a couple more pix.

The Muzzy fish point that I altered with a little cutting blade and shortened barbs. It's made a huge difference in his success...
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One happy kid!
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Two fish that I would call a little below average for this river, and one way above! I just wish I'd have taken a picture to show how broad this fish was across the back!
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a little more coming....

[Guru]

After we both calmed down after this amazing thing we just shared, Cade was back on "point"...
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Things slowed...we saw some more fish, but not till after they saw us....and it was time to head back...
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The fish in relation to his shortened fish arrow...
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We got home after dark, unloaded everything...and got the scale out.....
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20 pounds on the nose two plus hours after he'd shot it.....he'd killed "The elusive #20'er"!!!!!

What a fish, and what a memory!!!!

[BMN]

Great job Cade! Way to go! That's a dandy for sure.    

[Randy Morin]

Holy Smokes Cade....congrats on being the fella in your group to get the big "sweatback" as we used to call-em.  Your "the-man" now.   :D    

[Izzy]

That's the stuff! Congrats fellas.      

[ronp]

Perfect!!!!!
Thank you for sharing.  I always enjoy your pics and stories.

[kennym]

Congrats Cade!! And Dad!!

Way to go guys!

[Stone Knife]

Nice haul guy's, great use of ingenuity to come up with that point  

[statedriller]

Wow...  That is an awesome story.  Congrats to both of you.

[drewsbow]

congrats guys , very nice      

[Ray Hammond]

Good shooting Cade!

[JoeM]

Good day for both of you.  Congrats to Cade on the monster!!   Thanks for sharing and great pics as always.  Joe

[Ray Lyon]

Curt,

Outstanding pictorial and great job on the impromptu outing.  There's some wonderful memories in those pictures.  Congratulations!      

[zipper bowss]

Cade is quickly becoming the one to watch!    

I can see him now.Just a young feller in his scooby doo t-shirt. Out west staliking giant bull elk with his first self bow, willow arrow and stone point.Dont worry Curt.Cade will let you come along.Someone has to pack the meat out!  :D  
Bill

[Tony Sanders]

Congrats Guru and Cade. Good ole summer time fun on the water.