Gone Fishing

I know I have told you about Joshua's love for bugs, but have I ever told you he's quite a fisherman, too?
Well, he is.
And he needed me to capture him on film, catching a fish. For Boy Scouts.
So the other day we went over to a pond near our house which Joshua loves to frequent with his fishing pole, and he was going to show me how it's done. Yep, he was sure that within five minutes he would have caught a nice bass and I could snap the picture he needed to prove that he can fish.
The first item of business was to catch a bluegill to use for bait to catch the bass. So he put a worm on the hook and cast his line.
Nothing.
(It had only been about a minute, but that was apparently more time than Joshua thought it ought to take to catch his bait.)
So he moved around the corner and cast again and, Whamo! just like that he had his bluegill.

I won't describe how Joshua proceeded to turn that little bluegill into bait, but I will admit to watching the whole process. (YUCK!!!) Although I was grossed out by what I saw, I must admit I was impressed by his skill and apparent knowledge of the ways of fishing.

Then it was time to pursue the Bass.

But for some reason, that Bass wasn't biting. We had moved to the appropriate Bass-catching spot of the pond. This was right where he had caught them repeatedly every other time he'd gone fishing. Joshua just couldn't understand what was the problem. Several times he mumbled about how he always catches them so quickly every other time he comes fishing, and now that I was there to take a picture he just couldn't get one.
Finally he said, "Mom, can you just go stand over there please?" And he pointed to the other dock.
I chuckled to myself as I walked a distance away, I know this won't be the last time he wants me to step aside. Not only is he needing me less, but apparently I also scare the fish away. *grin*
So I stood on the other dock, and I continued to pray - as I had been since we arrived - that God would put a nice fish on the end of Joshua's line. (Remember, he may not NEED me, but I can still pray!)
And he began to get some nibbles.
But whenever he pulled up on the line, the fish would let go and the hook remained empty.
Until finally, after I am certain Joshua's patience had been tested to its fullest for the day, he reeled in this guy!
Joshua promptly returned Mr. Fish to the water after our photo shoot, and we were on our way home. I - with the proof that Joshua can fish, and Joshua - with a certain spring in his step that I am certain came from his pride in showing Mom that he knows how to catch a Bass.

It's moments like these that get me through the struggles. So thankful that God gives me glimpses into the boy-ish joys of fishing which make my son so happy.