Father’s Day is coming up on June 18. One of the most popular Father’s Day activities around the South Cariboo to do with dad is going fishing. Whether it’s at the Lac la Hache Father’s Day Fishing Derby (see page A16) or at one of the many other lakes around the South Cariboo, you’ll see many children and dads take out their rods and go angling.
Two such kids are Owen and Macy Cunningham. They go fishing regularly with their dad, Ryan Cunningham. Pretty close to every weekend once the ice is gone, Ryan adds in.
“We pack everything we need and then we just go,” says Owen, adding that the best part of going fishing is “spending time with him.” Who says that they catch rainbow trout.
They use leeches for bait, says Owen.
“You just troll,” he says explaining that means “you go slowly” with the lines drawn through the water.
They use an aluminum boat that they keep in the back of the truck so they can go fishing whenever they want, says Ryan. Dad is the only one who operates the motor, says Owen.
Jim and Marilyn Cunningham, Owen’s grandpa and grandma will also come fishing on Father’s Day, says Owen.
Ryan was flipping through some of the fishing pictures on his phone.
“Big fish,” Macy said. “And I remember when you caught that huge one.”
You could see it under the water, said Owen.
“It was like this big”, gesturing about a foot and a half with his hands.
“Sometimes we help him reel it in,” says Owen. Then, “we scoop it up.”
Owen says they often combine their fishing trips with camping and playing near Fawn Lake where he caught his first fish.
They say they also like to play with some of the fish’s anatomy after it’s dead.
You “whack it with a bang,” says Owen, adding that only the tail moves after you whack it.
Ryan covered his ears while Owen and Macy explained that they are making dream catchers for Father’s Day.
“They’re not fully made yet,” says Owen.
“I like to teach these guys as much as I can about fishing so hopefully they’ll grow into fishermen and fisherwomen when they get older,” says Ryan. “We want to spend as much quality time together before you guys have moved out of the house.
“It’s a great way to bond, sitting in a boat together for a couple of hours talking about life and teach them all about the outdoors, the bugs, the wildlife and the weather.”
No fishing licence is needed on Father’s Day for B.C. residents but fishing regulations, such as catch limits, still apply.
