AHEAD OF US while entering Morristown, orange flashed as three boys dashed across a county road to the side of a bridge.
Their presence here impressed me on a late November Sunday afternoon of temps hovering around 35 degrees. I wouldn’t be out in these brutal elements angling for fish in the Cannon River. But I suppose when you’re dressed in insulated pants and snow pants and warm coats and boots and other cold weather gear, the temp is tolerable.
And I suppose there’s something to be said, too, for the endurance and exuberance of youth. While I thought the boys a bit too dedicated to fish on a frigid day like this in southern Minnesota, I respected their decision. Here they were, outdoors, and not sitting in front of a screen. In today’s tech-focused age, that’s something.
© Copyright 2017 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
A fisher person is a unique breed. Apparently is starts early in life. 🙂
I do think you’re right on both counts.
I think you are right. Better to be fishing in the cold than sitting in front of a monitor! Remember when Mom’s use to say “Go outside and play!” ? Wonderful way to spend a cool MN afternoon…outside. Thanks for posting.
My siblings and I never had to be told to play outside. We practically lived outside. But, yes, “go outside and play” is a common refrain among moms.
To me a “hardy angler” is someone who indulges in ice fishing! I think it’s cool to find kids who care to fish, and will brave the elements to do so. I’m an avid angler – there is a real lure (no pun intended) to fishing, and I did ice fish as a young woman. But today, you won’t find me fishing in outdoor temperatures less than 70 degrees.
“Hardy angler” definitely fits those who fish on the ice. Most, however, fish inside warm houses.
I remember fishing as a child and I did it because I wanted to spend time with my dad and brother. I was at the beach yesterday soaking up the sun and sand. Happy Day – Enjoy 🙂
That’s a great reason to fish.
I am envious of your sun and sand. That said, I have clothes on the line today with temps near 60 and sunshine. Today November in Minnesota is good.
I’m not a fisher-person but I consider myself a hardy Minnesotan.
I consider you a hardy Minnesotan also, way more hardy than me based on your extensive outdoors activity.
It was 27 degrees on Saturday and I actually saw fisherman in a boat on Leech Lake fishing. Now that’s what I call dedication to your sport.
Now that, in my opinion, is way too cold to fish from a boat.
I did some ice fishing as a child, a little different than what these kids are doing, but fun none the less.
When we were first married, Randy and I ice fished. With the right protection and clothing, we weren’t cold at all.
I wonder if they caught anything. So happy they were outside doing something instead of on devices–which is what most of the teens and young adults were doing at our Thanksgiving dinner.
I don’t think they caught anything based on what I saw.
I wonder if they caught anything or if the were just enjoying the outdoors
Trying to catch something, I think. I didn’t see any fish in hand when I saw them later leaving their fishing spot.