Just Along For The Ride – A Southern Illinois Fishing Trip

Sometimes you go on adventures, but they aren’t your adventures. You are just the along for the ride.  Just there as a chauffeur, the bank roll, or adult chaperone.  And sometimes those adventures are more memorable than your own.

This was me in a recent trip to Southern Illinois with Hunter.  We usually try to take a small road trip each summer.  This year I asked him what he wanted to do, and he wanted a fishing trip with a guide. Fishing trip – no shocker.

Fishing guide – YIKES!  Fishing guides aren’t usually cheap, and I don’t exactly have the biggest budget.

But I am researcher, I’m thrifty and I can usually find the best deal for us.  So I began my Internet search and came up with a few options.

Here were the requirements:

1. Reasonably priced
2. Reasonable driving distance – under 5 hours
3. Bass fishing

It didn’t take me long to find several options, but again I was looking for the best fit for us.  I found what would be our best bet and shared it with Hunter.  He was okay with it, so I moved forward.

What I found was Boneyard Fishing in Whittington, IL. It offered a six hour evening fishing trip for two with available lodging.  I offered to let Hunter take a friend, but he was content with it being just “me and you.”  (It warms a mom’s heart.)  I also gave him the option of hotel or lodge; and he was ok with the lodge, which also helped on the budget.

I got in touch with Jason and set up a date, Wednesday, July 19th. (I had to reschedule to this day after initially scheduling a different date.  He was easy to work.)

Just as luck would have it, on the morning we were to leave, all packed up and ready to go, my car wouldn’t start.  I have a 2014 Fusion, so I wasn’t exactly expecting car issues.I quickly figured out it was a battery issue.  We borrowed some jumper cables and Hunter was able to get us going.  Aaron, who was at work, was able to find us the best deal on a battery which happened to be Interstate Battery.  Thank you Farmington Interstate Battery! They were extremely helpful and quick getting us back on the road.

Since we weren’t rushed for time and only needed to be there by 3:00, we enjoyed the scenic countryside through St. Mary’s, MO and Chester, IL.  The only thing better would have been if it had been prime deer viewing time. (Although hearing Hunter sing a little Whitney Houston’s I want to dance with somebody … was irreplaceable.  It was enjoyable two hour drive from Farmington.

We arrived in plenty of time, found the lodge and some lunch.  I was pleasantly surprised that on my way to the lodge, we passed one of the local spots that I had scoped out on Yelp – Burton’s Cafe – Home of the White Pie.  Hunter opted for the burger, and I had the catfish nuggets. Both were a wise choice.

As we were eating, the waitress asked the couple next to us, “What kind  of pie today?”  Not “Are you” but “what kind.” Pie is a given at Burton’s  I already knew that I was having white pie, but hadn’t mentioned anything to Hunter.  I would like to believe that I have been leading by example because after hearing the waitress, Hunter told me, “I am having some of that.”  I suggested ordering two different types of pies, but Hunter vetoed that idea.  So it was two slices of white pie. I’m not exactly how to describe white pie.  The best description I can give is a cross between a meringue and marshmallow.  If given the chance, I would order it again.

I’m going to skip the boring details of meeting up with Jason and getting to the lake, but did you know there is a Dunn’s Sporting Goods in Marion, IL?

Hunter was on the water, Lake Egypt, and fishing by 5:30 pm.  I had bought a fishing license  and entertained the idea, but it wasn’t a high priority.  

Remember- This wasn’t my adventure; it was his.

I could have fished, but I would have needed a little help.  My fishing skills include mastering the Zebco 33 (my dad’s personal favorite) and worms and crickets.  Anything else and I need help, so I opted out.  Hunter did offer to set me up a pole first, but I declined.

So the fishing began and continued for about six hours,  Hunter and Jason (the guide) fished like two old buddies while discussing rubber worms, depth finders, lures, and every other fishing jargon that was a foreign language to me.

What did I do for six hours?  I sat back and watched.  Watched my kid do something that he loves.

I took pictures and videos, handed out drinks and snacks, and just stayed out of the way.  This wasn’t about me.

I have watched Hunter play highly competitive sports year round for the last nine years. I’ve watched him make game winning hits and strike out player after player.  Those are intense situations and usually not very relaxing for the parent.  This was different.  There was no pressure – just a kid being a kid (a big kid but still a kid). It was relaxing and enjoyable. This is a hobby.

Jason could quickly see that Hunter didn’t need much help with the actual fishing part.  He just needed someone knowledgeable of the area – someone who could take us to the “hot” spots without wasting our time.

And that he did,  Hunter only caught a couple big ones, “lunkers” you may call them. But he did catch quite a few overall.  They each caught roughly between 15-20 fish in that time period.

Hunter took advantage of the one-on-one session and asked a ton of questions, (He used to do that when he was little too.)

He asked about tournaments, boats, winning weights, prime fishing times, other lakes, lures, and on and on.  Again I just back and watched and took it all in.  This wasn’t about me.

At about 11:30 pm, he asked ME if I was ready to go.  He’s so thoughtful lol.  We wrapped it up and head back for the night.

Was this something I would have chosen to do? No.  Did I enjoy it? Yes. Was it worth the time and drive? Yes.

So sometimes the most memorable adventures aren’t our own. Sometimes we are just along for the ride.

If you ever have a chance to spend time with your child doing something they love then do it. Stand back and just watch.  Let it be about them. Encourage their adventures.