Kip’s Comments - August 24, 2026

Relinquishing Summer Educational Opportunities

For many school-age kids the process of returning to school began today. At least for some, like one of my grandsons, the formal education routine begins bright and early tomorrow. That meant today was his last day of summer vacation and one last opportunity for summer home-schooling with gramps. Our topic of focus was angling.

After stopping to grab some nightcrawlers we were soon along a small pond surrounded by aquatic vegetation to cast over and partridge pea blossoms to stand among. For my grandson his first few casts were non-productive - he was using artificial bait. My first several casts each brought in bluegills resulting in my grandson switching to worms and taking my spot along the edge of the pond. Soon he too was pulling in bluegills and pond weeds.

Ultralight Fishing for Bluegills - Image 1139147

We enhanced our educational experience by fishing with ultra-light tackle and line. With this approach, every fish - large or small, felt like a whopper as they were pulled in. To say the light equipment made the outing more fun would be an understatement. Each fish was an adventure, especially when the largest bluegills would make the drag on our reels start to whine.

Bluegill - Image 1139117

So often we have fished and caught nothing or not enough to keep. Today we pulled in plenty, enough for a meal, which meant my grandson learned the bluegill filleting process too. I think that we kept some fish made the outing that much more meaningful for him.

Partridge Pea - Image 1139164

After fishing we went out for lunch… a great way to end our last day of Home Schooling with Gramps!

My wish for all of my grandkids and all students and educators is for a good school year with plenty of interesting educational opportunities and a safe learning environment.

Thanks for fishing with me!