bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

For those of you that read my post on great four day trip with my grandson, here is a rewrite.
I had my grandson for four days. Day one we headed out about two hours late for some fishing. I wanted to go salmon, but Lincoln wanted to go back to where we caught a lot of fish. I gave in. The fishing was good, but I got little chance to fish as I spent most of my time removing backlashed, baiting and taking off fish. When we got home I was stuck with cleaning 30 flat fish. Day two, we went clamming. We missed the lowest tide as getting a 10 year old kid ready to go is a pain. At any rate, it cost us as we missed the tide for gapers. I was not paying attention and got my boots filled with water and sand. Lincoln was soaked from head to foot. End result was my new truck got filed with saltwater and dirty sand. I am stuck with cleaning up. Day three was a rest day thank goodness. Day 4 crabbing was a complete disaster. Went to a Blaine market to get Lincolns crab report card. They no longer sell fishing licenses. The closes spot now is about 5 minutes from the house. I headed back but missed the off ram so had to drive a couple of extra miles. (remembered I can now get the card on the internet while driving) At any rate, after a wait in line, the fish and game sight would not let us in without last four numbers of ss card. Called and got the number from daughter then back in line. Anyway we got what we needed and off to the ramp. Started at 9:00 and it is now 10:00. When we get to the ramp the wait was 1.5 hours and people were crazy. We finally get to drop the traps toward the end of the tide change. Snagged up one trap, which I had never done before. Probably the only rock in the area. At any rate we fished about an hour and one half. We fished sculpin and flatfish while soaking the traps. On the first pull we got 8 keepers and reset the four traps. Right after everything was set, the current started ripping so we had to pull the traps. We went into 20 feet of water and dropped a ring. About 10 minutes later the wind kicked up so we pulled (1 keeper) and headed home in whitecaps. It took over an hour to get home rather than the normal 20 minutes. I also lost my favorite hat. Again the ramp situation, but this time with wind. After all that I had to clean fish and cook crab. This is all true. What I did not mention is that we got some great laughs at every situation that could have ruined the trip. Even my hat taking off like a kite was pretty entertaining as it hit Lincoln as it passed. Time with my grandson, lots of laughs, lots of fish and crabs, lots of spray and bouncing and great stories for grandma when we got home. Like you all said, the smiles say it all. Awesome trip.

HenryG Loc: Falmouth Cape Cod Massachusetts

Well I bet the ten yr old had a bunch of great stories to tell his Grandma and you had a great story to tell us guys and gals on the Stage Thanks bababear

Lynnz Loc: Texas panhandle

What a great post! No bad days when you’re treasuring moments and counting the number of smiles as opposed to the number of fish caught. I’m sure he doesn’t fully appreciate it now, but when he’s a dad and is spending more time baiting and taking fish off his kid’s lines than he is fishing, he will think back to those days out on the water with you and know just how blessed he is to have a grandpa willing to invest that kind of time!

Able Man Loc: North Coast (Cleveland, Ohio)

I have to admit, that I'd missed your previous post. (Just went and FOUND it and read it); I'm so glad for you both; that "Grampa" is "the sort, who ¡takes life's lemons; and makes lemonade!"

Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina

Another great story. Thanks for posting it

Whitey Loc: Southeast ohio

That's awesome bapabear quality time👍

Catfish hunter Loc: Riggins idaho (Paradise)

That was time well spent and memories that will be shared by Lincoln for a life time. Some times we miss the REAL reason we do things like that. You did an awesome thing with your struggles. My hat is off to you. Pun intended 😆

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

Thanks for the clarification. The lesson for Lincoln is that if it was easy, everyone would do it and it wouldn’t be special.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

I would tip my hat to you too, but I don't have one. I can't figure why that hat sunk like a rock. I thought oil was supposed to float. Maybe it was the salt in the hat. Worked like a wacky worm.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Yep, the gritty with the good are what makes life, and stories. Grandpa, I would capture those events and others, shared both with his father and others. Record them by telling them to a voice recorder, or writing them down will be a treasure for both him and his children. They will want to know someday! Just Sayin...RJS

OldBassGuy Loc: Temecula, CA

Ahh yes, fishing with the grandchildren is really great and the smiles when they catch something is the best. But like you said, you don't get to fish much for all those reasons you mentioned. When they get in their teens and older it is called bonding time. Time to discuss the present and future, and give them some direction or at least try.
That is what we do. Treasure it, for we do not know how long we have left.

Grizzly 17 Loc: South central Pa

Bapa y'all had fun got there n back home safe. That's a good day. Plus the best part it was with your GRANDSON brother 😄😄🎣🎣

kandydisbar Loc: West Orange, NJ

Really enjoyed your post!

Jarheadfishnfool Loc: Woodlake/Tulare ,Ca.

Great story Bapa, nothing can replace the "fun" we have with our grandchidren,,,,,,, except for the next time,,,,,,, Thanks for sharing!!

Jamesfk Loc: Carmichael, Ca

Perspective.....Blood,Sweat and tears......All worth it! Memories.....Sounds like you had some really good adventures...!