Glimpses: A River and a Pond

On Monday, we decided to float down the Snake River in a fishing boat that Brian's parents got last Christmas. Brian's brother Michael came with us as our guide. The boat is only meant to hold 5 adults, but we managed to squeeze in all of our family plus Michael.

First we had to get the boat all hooked up to the truck and ready to go:

Then we had to make a stop to get some minnows for bait:

We drove up the canyon to the spot where we wanted to launch the boat. There are some spots along the Snake River that have pretty good rapids and a lot of people do rubber raft rides down them. We went a little higher up the river where it was much calmer, although we did go through a few smaller rapids (that the kids thought were great fun).

Everybody got fit with a life jacket:

Then we were off down the river.

Brian was the one who rowed and steered the boat while Michael helped with the fishing (and directed Brian on where to steer the boat):

The girls sat up at the front of the boat:

The girls got a little whiny and tired. The complained about being thirsty (I had brought a water jug but left it in the van) and having nowhere good to sit. The girls especially complained about wanting to have a turn fishing. Hayley got plenty tired and seemed to even fall asleep at one point (although I don't think she was really asleep):

Michael helped McKay do some fishing. He knew the good spots to cast and helped McKay cast out several times. They finally hooked a trout and McKay got to reel it in.

I asked McKay to hold up the fish for a picture and he was pretty unsure about sticking his finger through it. He'd start to hold it up and the fish would wiggle and he'd drop it (he almost dropped it back in the river!). Finally we got him to hold it up long enough for a picture:

After McKay caught a fish, we let Hannah go back to the fishing spot to try fishing. Michael would cast and let Hannah reel it in if there were any bites. They did have two bites that she started to reel in, but both fish got off the hook before we could get them in the boat (one looked pretty big and got right up to the boat before it got away).

We got out of the boat a little earlier than we planned because the trip had taken quite a while (and Brian's sister was waiting for the next ride down). The kids had to wade across some rocks to get over to the shore (and of course they all got their shoes wet).

Then McKay had to clean his fish, which he wasn't so sure about. Michael got him to slice it open, but he wouldn't pull the guts out. Hannah and Courtney were happy to volunteer and step in to finish the job.

Grandma cooked up the fish for dinner and McKay and Hannah ate it up (and asked if there was any more). We were quite surprised that they liked it so well considering how picky they can be with their food.

Later that day, after we got home, we went over to the little pond here on the farm so that the girls could have a chance to hold the fishing pole and try fishing. The pond has been stocked with fish, but they seem to have plenty to eat, so they don't go after bait very readily.

There is a little canoe over at the pond that McKay, Hannah and Courtney each got a ride in with their cousin Maison (who lives here).