I took my daughter fishing in Northern California for the 1st day of trout season. After fishing a few of my little spots in the hwy 70 canyon and finding most of them filled with fisherman. We took the Jeep into the back hills and ended up at Butt Valley reservoir (not misspelled). (Hwy 70 to Caribou Reservoir between
Chester and Hwy 70.)
Got there in the late afternoon and started tossing lures near the dam. She wanted to play, so she asked me to float a worm for her. We got her set up and out there. She didn't even have time to set pole down when, WHAM a big hit and strong pull and then nothing. Pulled it in and the worm was gone. She was mad and picked out another worm and we put her in a little deeper water. We let it sit for about 30 minutes. Dad had a couple of bites, nothing to brag about. We decided to head to Grandma's for dinner. So I asked her to reel it in and let's pack it up. She started reeling and I started reeling in. She goes, "Dad, I think it's stuck?" As soon as she said that, I heard the drag singing it's sweet, sweet music. I said, "Honey, that's no rock, that's a big fish !"
She got the biggest grin and started to fight the fish. I dropped my gear and went to help. We got the smallie in and she goes, "What kind of fish is this Dad, it's so gold?" So I told her and she goes, "Dad, That's not small!" Well the picture says it all. The fish was released as the spawn was on. We talked about catch and release. She understood. I am so proud of my little girl!
Chris and Kristen Reading
