PPF: Making Memories

Believe it or not, I don't get paid to fish, (inflection of sarcasm and a smirk).Very, very few fishermen do. I work in the medical field, on the bean counter side, for my daily paycheck. Doing what I do, I interview lots of folks for lots of different positions. I have a pretty standard set of questions that I have developed over the last decade or so and then I have my favorite question. I ask each candidate, "What was your best day at work ever? Tell me about it." This questions tells you a lot about the person's passions, their focus and what makes them tick. I have heard some amazing stories asking this question, especially in the medical field. I have also heard some not so great answers.

Yesterday I asked the question a few times during interviews and was told an amazing story by one of the candidates. I still can't get that story out of my head. It really showed the passion this candidate has for their job and those they serve. Today, I find myself asking a similar question.

Keep reading at:
http://www.paynespaddlefish.com/2013/11/making-memories.html

I always enjoy reading your post/articles...especially the one ones about sharing this "hobby" with your kids. The simple truth is that this isn't a hobby...a hobby is collecting stamps or gardening.
Fishing, and even more so..kayak fishing, is a connection. Its a connection to nature, to a simpler way of life, for many of us a way to connect with our faith and creator, and for those of us with kids...its an amazing way to connect with our kids. Unfortunately, a lot of dads forget (sometimes I'm guilty) that its not always about the 5 pound bass...sometimes its about the 5oz bream and the 6 year old that caught it.

One thing that I learned from you is that when I take my son (6) fishing, I leave my rods at home. I pick one thing to teach him...How to cast, how to put a worm on a hook, how to check for snakes..what to do if you see one...announcing his cast (very important), or learning the types of fish we catch. In the end..its like you said. What will they remember as the best day ever?

Sorry to ramble..something I'm pretty passionate about. I think my post is almost as long as your article.

It's hard as much as we love the sport sometimes to slow down and teach. The payoff is when they start asking to go, even after the last trip was a skunk. Kids enjoy the trip as much or more than the fish a lot of times. That and the snacks. Snacks never hurt.

Yep...Cameron is already doing the "pleeeeeeaassseeee Daddy...can I go?" As much as I love having a true Kayak, I'm trading it in for a Nucanoe this spring. That way he can go with me.

Snacks are a great way to forget that the fish aren't biting. lol

Cameron loved that NC. Better get the swivel seats so he can spin around.

I said the same in a post a long while back. Don't take your kids fishing with you, take your kids fishing.

It's actually a self centered approach. If you take em and teach em they'll learn it that much quicker. The sooner they learn it, the sooner you can get back to fishing.

It's a win, win.

Oh yeah. That was his favorite part. :-)