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Okoboji Vacation Fun

Posted on: Jul 03, 2009

Posted in: News From Chris
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I was on vacation last week. We have some great friends who always vacation on Lake Okoboji Iowa. It has been their family tradition for years and this year we were invited to go along.
These friends of ours, The Browns are a great family with two small boys about 6 and 4. They spend lots of time on the lake: boating, swimming, tubing – whatever, but not much time fishing. As we planned the trip over the last several months there was always talk of fishing (mostly on my part). And I found out the boys, Jakob and Joey had never caught a fish. I had promised to fix that. We spent the first day running around in the boat, checking out the lake and just relaxing after the long drive from Denver. As we came back to the dock in the afternoon I could not help but notice bluegill by the plenty waiting for an easy meal under the dock. .
I asked the boys if they were ready to try a little fishing and with an excited “You Bet!” in unison they race up to the beach house to get their gear.
I followed close behind to retrieve some of the tackle I had brought along. Small jigs, floats and hooks we could use off the dock.
I rigged up with the help of my two kids, Scott and Kyndra and showed the two the plan. Since both Scott and Kyndra can keep up with anyone catching fish I had plenty of help to keep the tangles to a minimum and the boys busy. My first try was a couple small 1/16 oz hair jigs we could drop to the bottom and see just how interested the bluegill were. We helped Jakob learn how to get a good jigging motion down and rigged Joey with a float above his jig so the waves from the passing boats could do the work for him until he got the hang of it.
We watched in excitement as the small, bright colored jigs descended into the clear water. We could see the fish dart over to check out our offering but we had no takers. With no live bait with us at the time I reeled up the jigs after a few minutes and added a dab of Eagle Claw Grease in chartreuse to each one thinking a little added scent would do the trick.
Within seconds of Jakob’s jig getting to depth a willing Bluegill jumped on the now scented mini jig. With a somewhat surprised yelp Jakob set the hook just like we had instructed and reeled in his first catch. With huge grin of accomplishment and pride Scott and I helped hold his prize catch up for a quick photo and inspection. Both boys were amazed at this little guy we had tricked to take our lure. They inspected the shape and colors and commented on the bright blue patch just below the gills – giving our little trophy his name. With a soft feel by each boy Kyndra gently released him back to the depths under the dock. Jakob was so excited he had to take time to relive his story and explain all the details to the rest of the family huddled around the dock.
I turned my attention to Joey to see if we could get the same results for him. We dropped his jig down to the bottom just in time to see a few larger torpedo shaped shadows pass under the dock. I wondered what these new visitors might be and told Joey to hold tight to the rod and get ready. With a few more bounces of the rod Joey felt a strong tug and let out a little gasp as we struggled to pull the rod up out of the water. The line darted well under the dock and out of sight as I realized we had hooked into one of the new mystery fish. With a little assistance holding the rod Joey pulled and cranked with all his might and a nice, about 15″ Walleye can into view. After a few more short runs the walleye came to my careful grasp and was hoisted to the dock for all to admire. Joey was all smiles and very excited as we looked at his prize. We checked out the scales and sharp teeth while comparing the size of these new specimens eyes with the Bluegill we had admired moments before.
As the boys looked on, Jakob said, maybe with just a hint of jealousy “Joey, yours is lots bigger then mine.” Joey responded without hesitation, “Yeah but yours had more colors I like that”
The boys decided the walleye should join his friends back under the dock and he slipped back into lake Okoboji.

Needless to say we caught lots more fish off the dock over the next few days on jigs and Eagle Claw Aberdeens tipped with a little worm but none more important then those two.

There is nothing quite like helping a young child catch his first fish and I could not have been more proud to see how my two teenagers were excited to help out and the smiles and fun they had from assisting Jakob and Joey over the next few days. My kids are lucky to have learned to fish at an early age and they get the chance to go often. In today’s busy world fishing is easy for many families to forget how fun fishing is and many of us so called “anglers” are so wrapped up in the latest technique, fast boat, or new rod we forget to pass on our sport.
The 4th of July is just around the corner. Take a minute this summer and teach a neighbor kid or family member to fish. All you need in a little patience, a few worms and probably the local pond or lake will be the perfect setting. No need to get fancy or catch something big.
The kids you help will remember it for a lifetime and you may even be helping your next fishing partner get started.
The happy ending of this story for me – I received a text message from Jakob and Joey’s Dad after we left. Joey, the youngest was out on the dock a couple nights later telling all the adults who would listen how to hold the rod and move it just a little to make the jig work.
“Because Chris said so, and he taught me how to catch ‘em.”