A Letter From Sue

March 30, 2024

I had a nice letter from Sue recently. It was about her eleven year old coming up fishing with his dad and some buddies in the spring. Apparently, I and they, “will all be skinned alive,” her exact words, if anything were to happens to her first born child. Now, I can appreciate a woman, or a man, saying exactly what they mean in straight forward, easy to understand language. “Skinned alive” does not leave much leeway for second guessing.

In addition to falling overboard and drowning, she worries that Tex and company will lose track of the lad. She thinks they will be so caught up with fishing, they will let the boy wander off into the woods. There, he will undoubtedly encounter a hungry and predatory bear, wolf, wolverine, or in a worst case scenario, the much feared Marmota Monax of native legends.

If the youngster is out of our collective sight for more than about two minutes, we are to begin an immediate search of his last known location, contact search and rescue and call his mother. And to be truthful, I am a bit concerned about him getting lost and Tex not noticing until suppertime.

So, I came up with a plan and asked Bob if his nine year old could sort of chaperone the lad. Maybe befriend him and show him how to fish without needing to swim for shore. Bob asked his missus, and she agreed, providing Bob went as well. She said it would be a nice peaceful week without them, and she will call his teacher when the time comes.

A few years back, Bob and I put some speckles into a couple of spring fed potholes. We will let the boys use the canoe while he and I cast from shore. Of course, the boys will be sworn to secrecy. Those lakes are not on any official stocking list.

Ricky

Dear Sue,

This is Rita, Bob’s missus, mother of the nine year old. He is actually ten, but neither Ricky nor the boy’s father can keep up.
Once in a great while, actually almost never, Ricky and my husband have a good idea. Your son should come and mine will fish with him.

Now Dino, my boy, is a quick learner so the men are happy to teach him everything from fishing to canoeing and running a boat. Bob has also taught him to change spark plugs on the Evinrude and makes him carry a set. It never occurs to the owner to have any spare parts for his 25 year old outboard.

Ricky has been showing my son how to use a topographic map and a compass. It turns out just following the north needle is not always the best approach. In northern Ontario, it can lead to a longish walk toward the Arctic Circle.

I know this is bragging, but he’s my child, and I am proud of him. The boys will have a great time fishing together, and Dino will make sure they don’t get lost or tip the boat.

Your son is certain to learn a few things not included in any school curriculum. We have a somewhat relaxed attitude here towards formal education. The school principal used to get excited when children missed school and, say, run their dad’s gas pumps or spend some time camping. We made a deal with her. For every day a child misses, they have to write one hundred words in full sentences with proper grammar and spelling about their activities.

Let’s stay in touch.

Rita

Skinning is a lot of work. Instead join a Ringette league. The stick is a handy educational tool that works equally well on husbands and their dogs.