Girls Day Out

article by Dan Chason

When I hosted our television series during the 1990’s and into the 2000’s our slogan was “Take Your Kid Hunting and You Won’t Have to Hunt Your Kids.” This paralleled our encouragement to take your kids not only hunting but fishing as well. This has been true most of my adult life as I have enjoyed many trips afield with my children and grandchildren. Many of these trips are with “my girls.” You see, my wife Michele rarely hunts or fishes as it is just not her thing. She will go when the bream and chinqapin are bedding but the trips are usually short even though very enjoyable. But one group of our family is always ready to go. Our girls love to fish and I have spent many a day on the lake with them.

The first to go fishing with me was my daughter, Danielle. She is a typical “Daddy’s girl” and always has been. I remember a show I filmed with her with the same title after she won a local beauty contest. I was so proud of this little girl and even more proud today of the woman she has become. As a mother of 3 boys, she has transformed into an outdoors woman either out of a new interest or from necessity. Two of her boys are die hard hunters and fisherman and she along with her husband Casey spend a lot of time in the woods and on the water. Our times together alone are ones I cherish and look forward to any time I can spend with her in the outdoors.

The oldest, Mandy is the mother of three of my fishing partners, Rylee, JT and Kade. Rumor has it she is quite the angler but is a busy baseball mom and registered nurse. It is one of my goals this year to finally share some fishing time alone with her if the prowess and competitiveness she showed on the softball field is an indicator, I may have my hands full. Her husband, Nick, is a gifted hunter and angler so I guess I will have to wait my turn.

Shaina, is a different story. She’s laid back woman who didn’t show a lot of interest until she was a bit older when it came to fishing or hunting. She would go but only after leaving home and starting her own life did she generate an active desire to go fishing or hunting. Fishing is her thing as she doesn’t like to get cold and welcomes a sunny day to catch some rays and enjoy some quiet time. She is a determined angler and very adept at most types of fishing, whether we are snatching crappie or catching bass. She has an infectious laugh and is a fast learner. If Shaina is going with you, I can guarantee she will figure out what to do to be competitive. The one thing I love about her is that she is always ready to do her part. Whether helping clean the boat or get it in the water, Shaina is a doer, not a watcher.

The one girl in the family that is a die-hard angler and good hunter is the baby, Katelyn. We call her KK and this girl is one bad hombre with a jig pole. It brings a smile to my face whenever she comes by the house and without asking, will simply say “I think we need to go fishing.” I have never turned her down and probably never will. KK has shot some nice deer and on our last trip went fish-for-fish with me on bedding crappie. Her tenacity is amazing but her best attribute is her willingness to listen and to be coachable. If she isn’t getting a bite, she will stop and ask me what she needs to do or in some cases, take my jig pole with a smile and start catching them.

All of these ladies have had tremendous obstacles to overcome in their young lives. Danielle lost her husband Chad Powell in 2005 in Iraq. Chad was a Marine and spent many days with me and his best friend and my son, Andy fishing and hunting. I have watched Danielle blossom into a strong and independent woman who has succeeded despite the many obstacles she had to overcome.

Shaina and KK came into my life when Shaina was 15 and KK was 10. Their biological father was killed in a motorcycle accident in 2005 just one month before Chad died. Mandy was a grown woman by then but losing a man she loved for years as a stepfather did not lessen the pain. But all of these girls have overcome this tragedy to become vibrant members of our community. The acceptance and love shown to me is one of the bright spots in my life.

There are no stepchildren in our family as I accepted them as my own when they lost their father. This is one reason that outdoor connection is so strong. It is a place we bond. A place where we just spend quality time together and a place where we can be at peace and appreciate the time we have together.

When the hustle and bustle of living seems to be overwhelming, my recommendation is two-fold. First of all, take some time and take your kids (even if they are grown) fishing and hunting. I cannot tell you how therapeutic it is to slow down and just get to know your kids on another level. There are no agendas, no boundaries and there is great opportunity to show your love and guidance in an area they will never learn solo.

Some tips I can lend are let them be the motivation to go on an outdoor activity. Let them learn on their level and don’t expect them to be “bass master casters” when they don’t go as often as you do. Pick a type of fishing that is not difficult such as fishing in heavy cover or in standing timber. Pick a day and do your homework. I scout and make sure the fish are biting and not hard to catch before taking one of them fishing. The same goes for hunting. I scout 90% of the time and we hunt 10% of the time. This increases success and will make them want to return, most times before you invite them.

And don’t forget with females to make restroom accommodations. Guys take it for granted that this is not a big deal but with the ladies it can ruin a trip.

Regardless of whether your children are 18 or 28 they still have a need to bond with their parent. If you take the time to take a kid fishing, the reward will be all yours. These are the trips that make memories that last a lifetime.