Children at Kipawa

[CaptainCrappie]

Hodgey,  I've had the pleasure of spending 4 week long trips with grandsons at Kipawa.  One grandson totally loves everything about it.  I have another one that is just OK with it, no big deal.  but, I expected that ahead of time from experiencing local fishing trips with them.  I've been there when a grandson asks, "when are we going back in" or says, "this is boring."  After a couple of trips though, when the conversation reverts back to those Kipawa trips, and the pictures get broken out, you can see that there are memories already etched in their minds. Take em with you when you can.

I think all of us dads and grand dads want our offspring to love what we love, and want them feel the passion as much as we do, but real life teaches us.... different strokes for different folks.  I have 4 grandsons and 6 great grandsons. Their first fishing trips were with me. Actually there are 3 boys that have not fished with me yet, as they are under two years old.  I'm not including the girls. They say that they like fishing but there are more important (to them) diversions in their lives.  One thing that makes me feel good is...  that all of them know who "Captain Crappie" is!

C.C.

[Hodgey1]

I think all of us dads and grand dads want our offspring to love what we love, and want them feel the passion as much as we do, but real life teaches us.... different strokes for different folks.

This is for certain Captain "different strokes for different folks" can't agree more.  As their grandpa, I try to let them discover their own interest and also expose them to mine. Both of the boys loved fishing out of the boat this summer and asked regularly when they could go out again, which made for a nice summer under the current circumstances.

I am certain they both would enjoy Kipawa, I just know there will be times when the oldest will be bored and twitching for some screen time, that's when I will have to morph into Super Papa and jump off the Alwaki dock fully clothed  .

[T-Bone]

that's when I will have to morph into Super Papa and jump off the Alwaki dock fully clothed  .

I want to be there to see that...Bleue in hand...camera rollin'.... 

[Hodgey1]

I want to be there to see that...Bleue in hand...camera rollin'.... 

For got to mention my technique would include a cannon ball...... a fat guy cannon ball 

[Hodgey1]

Update:12-30-20

My new fishing partners are all fired up! Both of my grandsons are officially part of our July 2021 plans for a week in paradise. I broke the news to all at Christmas and everyone is excited for the trip. So both my son-in-laws, their sons and hopefully my brother will be at Alwaki "Barring continued border closure" this July.

I have always been a person motivated by things to look forward to and this is a dandy. I know things will be different, but in a good way. Less alcohol, more soda pop. Less early fishing, more adventure boating. Less fishing till dark, more back early for a fire.

On the Border Closure, my daughter is a school Teacher and she is already scheduled for her vaccine. Nearly all of my family qualify for the first few group scheduled to be vaccinated due to their occupations including me "Utility Worker".

Happy New Year to All Here!

[Greg]

Great news Hodgey, it will be an adventure.

I am looking forward to my trips already... with new years tonight, I know this weekend we will put away the xmas tree and decorations and then it is the long winter focused on getting the boat back.  I am going to start going through my tackle and sharpening hooks and discarding old damaged lures, etc.

I am looking forward to my trip to Alwaki the last week of June (with the guys) and mid-July with my family.

Happy new year everyone!

Greg

[limacharley]

Yo Hodgey,

Been mulling your situation over the holidays-here's my 2 cents...

We bring our nephew to camp for 2 weeks....ya 2 whole weeks. He's an 8 year old city kid from Toronto. Having some electronics is not a bad thing.
While we cook lunch and dinner we permit him to partake in his Nintendo Switch. He's in the cottage to do this under our watchful eye. Don't let kids out of your sight when near water. Lifejacket or not.
Anyways, its like maybe 1.5 hours a day-it gets the bug off his back so to speak and then it's fun time with us. We tube (btw-you can come and borrow ours) we definitely fish. do a lot of snorkeling. Our beach is fantastic for that. Otherwise may I suggest the big shoal in Hunter's inbetween Kipawa Lodge and our cottage. (it's usually marked) Great place to dive. Bring lawn chairs, snacks and a bucket o' beers.

Back in camp, we play a lot of board games. Walk in our trails. Bring a ball and some gloves and play catch, frisbee, horse shoes. Bring a large empty scrap book and have the kids collect leaves and pine needles.  Glue the stuff in the scrap book. Bring a tree identifying book and see if they can match them up. Homework for their parents Lol...

We have fun taking pieces of bread, rolling it in little balls and feeding the fall fish or baby bass. There's campfires with s'mores. More fishing etc.

And we do this without his parents. You're going to have plenty of help.
Enjoy them now cuz when they start dating, they might not be interested until they have kids of their own.

Good luck man.

[Hodgey1]

Great news Hodgey, it will be an adventure.

Thanks Greg! You have a nice 2021 schedule.

Good luck man.

LC, thanks for the input all good tips and thanks for the tube use offer. I pulled the trigger to include the little tikes at Christmas, as long as the border is open by the end of July, we are full steam ahead.

I think it will all be good. My wife and I spend a great deal of time with both of the boys, the youngest almost moves in every weekend and the older one is here at least a hour or so everyday since he lives next door at the bottom of our property with his parents. My relationship with both is real good and after much thought, I feel all I need to do is be ready to bite my tongue and allow each of their fathers to handle any issues that may arise.

On the topic of the border being closed/fyi my daughter is a school teacher and she got her vaccination this past Saturday.