I remember about 20 years ago spending summer days hiking down a steep hill behind our house in the country.  My brothers and I would make the trek with our fishing poles resting on our shoulders and a bucket of worms or a small jar of some little round slimy things that were supposed to be bait.  (Sorry not a fisherwoman!)  I can remember the weeds towering over my head and having to wrestle the pole away at times from its catch of brown grass.  I was sure it took hours to get down to the pond at the bottom of the hill.  I was always sure that day was going to be the day I actually caught a fish bigger that my brothers.  Don't think it ever happened though.  All I ever caught were little blue gill that were probably about 3 inches long if I was being generous.  But, oh I sure felt like a real outdoorsy gal when I'd reel in another fine catch.  I loved that pond.  We'd catch frogs or toads, fish and lizards in the summer and ice skate on it in the winter. 

I was reminded of that pond on Saturday.  Our church hosted its fifth annual fishing derby.  I was excited to be able to take the kids fishing in a pond where they would surely have success.  My husband was the pond photographer so I was a bit nervous about how I was going to take care of 5 kids and all their fishing needs by myself.  It started off pretty crazy with everyone wanting worms at the same time.  I'd no sooner get a worm on a hook then they'd be turning around hollering at the fish for stealing their worms.  So, I'd be putting more worms on!  I was pretty messy and smelly in no time but it was worth it when I heard the first kid start squealing about a fish on their line.  And wouldn't you know it- it was a little blue gill about 3 inches long!   Boy my Gabby was sure awful proud of that fish.  So was Mom.

We caught quite a few fish.  Caught quite a few tales too!  Our 3 year old told everybody at Church the next day that she caught 5 fish and they were--------- this long-------------.  (She caught one!  But don't tell her).  My son was the last to catch a fish.  He was pretty discouraged.  Even told me, " Mom I'm not a good fisherman."  Course after he caught his fish--- Mom, I'm the best fisherman!   Nothing like a couple itty bitty blue gill to boost the soul!