It is a chilly April morning, and the sun has not yet risen. Dad and Marie wake up early to pack the boat
and drive to the lake. When they arrive, the shoreline is filled with other fishers and a long line of trucks
and trailers waiting to release their boats on the boating ramp.

While they wait for their turn to go out on the lake, Dad and Marie gather their tackle boxes and fishing
poles. Dad uses his Dad’s old fishing pole, and Marie uses the brand new pink fishing pole that Dad gave
her for her birthday. They place everything they need in the boat, and finally, it’s their turn to go out on
the water.

With a push on the back of the boat and the splash of Dad’s foot stepping into the lake, the vessel slides
forward, and the bottom scratches across the sandy waterbed. They’re off! The boat disrupts the
smooth, glassy surface of the water. The clouds and sunrise reflected on the lake begin to ripple.
The countdown begins. Three, two, one. The horn blows. The fishing derby starts.

Dad and Marie open their tackle boxes to prepare their fishing poles.
“What is this?” Dad asks incredulously.
Marie’s tackle box is filled with fruit snacks and sandwiches.
“I packed snacks in case I get hungry.” Marie giggles her reply.

So, Dad finds a lure in his tackle box for her to use. She picks pink because it’s pretty. Dad chooses a
silver and gold lure with a spinning hook.
“Do you remember how to cast?”
“Yeah, of course!”
She doesn’t. She’s holding the pole upside down. Dad shakes his head and teaches her, again, how to
cast. In all fairness, the last time she went fishing, she was a little kid with a small, crumby fishing pole
with a button for casting. This was an adult fishing pole, and it had been a few years.

The fish are jumping, ready for breakfast. Finally, they cast their lines into the water and slowly cruise
the boat around the lake. It won’t be long now. Soon, one of them will catch the first fish.

This was written by our contributing writer, Karina Coghlan.