Joy and Happiness Weekend - Opening Day

Shawn Seeger

Legend
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I try and find joy or happiness everyday, raised my boys to "find 1 thing everyday no matter how small". So, this "lowland opening" day held both joy and happiness (and surprise)

I am blessed to still have my dad, we don't always get along (still, fathers and sons). But, I am trying to enjoy every day we have together as I know the days are number. So, I asked him to help the Mineral Lions campground by building and painting a "face thru hold" board, to bring smiles. Then last week he and I went up and installed it in the rain and snow (go figure).

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While he was up helping and visiting I challenged him to build a "How Big"?" weigh in station for the Mineral Lake Derby. And we had a lot of fun "arguing" about "cut twice measure once", I know it's the other way because of dad. And we got it done.

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Then, instead of fishing (I have had a lot of opening day excitement, I am sure like you) I volunteered to help with the "kids pond" derby. We served roughly 100+/- kids from the campground and community "at large". The kids could keep 3 fish each, they each received a pole and reel, and then each kid "fisherperson" got to enter a kids raffle. All of this Thanks to donations!

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The mile wide smiles! The squeals of excitement! The pride in "catching my first fish"! The helping those that might not otherwise get the experience!

FB_IMG_1682349533236.jpgFB_IMG_1682349411451.jpgFB_IMG_1682349395212.jpgFB_IMG_1682349237167.jpgFB_IMG_1682349226605.jpg

When I got home and before collapsing on the couch, got the mail and was happily surprised to receive a gift with a funny mailing label... thanks @Buzzy 😄

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I was also the lucky winner of a bucket raffle prize. So now I need to increase my tying table space!

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Anyway, I hope you all had a great weekend, and can look back and find/ remember 1 thing that brings you joy and happiness!

Pass it on (fishing)

Tight lines
 
Great post Shawn. Thanks to you and your dad. The grandkids have fun at these events and will talk about them for a long time. I try to say thanks to all the volunteers I see, you're the folks that make it happen.
 
You sure thats your dad? You two look nothing alike... :rolleyes:

As always love your positive reports. They just ooze fun. Way to be a builder of the next generation of fisher folks!
 
"Opening Weekend", what memories and the chance with each new generation for more memories.

Morning was granddaughters softball game, (they won big time!) and then she wanted to go catch a fish. So off we went to Cottage Lake, that should do it. Hit the water at 2 pm and it was slow for awhile. She tried spinners, a spoon, and then power bait. Nada. Set my son up with an intermediate camo line and a Nyerges nymph. Heck, does look a bit like a pellet, right? He then got two, and I suggested we troll slowly, and son suggested to Claire that she give it a try. Yea! she got her first fish ever on a fly, and two more after that. Mission accomplished, and she is ready for more!

More memories!

Claire fist fish.jpg

Sorry about the handling technique, but the little guy got revived and swam away just fine.
 
Shawn, thank you for your hard work and all you do to make this fishery what it is. I’ve never fished there or been a part of this but I can tell you are doing good work. I remember the local kids fishing derby here in Whatcom County fondly and it no doubt had a lot to do with making me who I am. It’s important to have some fun and easy low key fishing opportunities for kids like this and as a fairly recent first time father it really is inspiring to see this type of dedication and I think I need to be more involved in the near future.

The most I ever won was a sleeping bag, but now kids can win an F150 Raptor?!?! Daaayyyyyuaaaaammmmmmnnnnn…Times have sure changed. 😀
 
I try and find joy or happiness everyday, raised my boys to "find 1 thing everyday no matter how small". So, this "lowland opening" day held both joy and happiness (and surprise)

I am blessed to still have my dad, we don't always get along (still, fathers and sons). But, I am trying to enjoy every day we have together as I know the days are number. So, I asked him to help the Mineral Lions campground by building and painting a "face thru hold" board, to bring smiles. Then last week he and I went up and installed it in the rain and snow (go figure).

View attachment 62768

While he was up helping and visiting I challenged him to build a "How Big"?" weigh in station for the Mineral Lake Derby. And we had a lot of fun "arguing" about "cut twice measure once", I know it's the other way because of dad. And we got it done.

View attachment 62767

Then, instead of fishing (I have had a lot of opening day excitement, I am sure like you) I volunteered to help with the "kids pond" derby. We served roughly 100+/- kids from the campground and community "at large". The kids could keep 3 fish each, they each received a pole and reel, and then each kid "fisherperson" got to enter a kids raffle. All of this Thanks to donations!

View attachment 62769

The mile wide smiles! The squeals of excitement! The pride in "catching my first fish"! The helping those that might not otherwise get the experience!

View attachment 62760View attachment 62761View attachment 62762View attachment 62763View attachment 62764

When I got home and before collapsing on the couch, got the mail and was happily surprised to receive a gift with a funny mailing label... thanks @Buzzy 😄

View attachment 62765

I was also the lucky winner of a bucket raffle prize. So now I need to increase my tying table space!

View attachment 62766

Anyway, I hope you all had a great weekend, and can look back and find/ remember 1 thing that brings you joy and happiness!

Pass it on (fishing)

Tight lines
You sir, are a prince among men. Thanks for all you have done for/with the kids!
 
I try and find joy or happiness everyday, raised my boys to "find 1 thing everyday no matter how small". So, this "lowland opening" day held both joy and happiness (and surprise)

I am blessed to still have my dad, we don't always get along (still, fathers and sons). But, I am trying to enjoy every day we have together as I know the days are number. So, I asked him to help the Mineral Lions campground by building and painting a "face thru hold" board, to bring smiles. Then last week he and I went up and installed it in the rain and snow (go figure).

View attachment 62768

While he was up helping and visiting I challenged him to build a "How Big"?" weigh in station for the Mineral Lake Derby. And we had a lot of fun "arguing" about "cut twice measure once", I know it's the other way because of dad. And we got it done.

View attachment 62767

Then, instead of fishing (I have had a lot of opening day excitement, I am sure like you) I volunteered to help with the "kids pond" derby. We served roughly 100+/- kids from the campground and community "at large". The kids could keep 3 fish each, they each received a pole and reel, and then each kid "fisherperson" got to enter a kids raffle. All of this Thanks to donations!

View attachment 62769

The mile wide smiles! The squeals of excitement! The pride in "catching my first fish"! The helping those that might not otherwise get the experience!

View attachment 62760View attachment 62761View attachment 62762View attachment 62763View attachment 62764

When I got home and before collapsing on the couch, got the mail and was happily surprised to receive a gift with a funny mailing label... thanks @Buzzy 😄

View attachment 62765

I was also the lucky winner of a bucket raffle prize. So now I need to increase my tying table space!

View attachment 62766

Anyway, I hope you all had a great weekend, and can look back and find/ remember 1 thing that brings you joy and happiness!

Pass it on (fishing)

Tight lines
It looks like your dads apple didn't fall far from the tree.😊
Nice work for your community. 👍
 
Did you by any chance meet a Brian Franchini while volunteering?
 
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