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April 2018

boatingonthehudson.com

Pack away a tape measure even if you just size up a six

inch sunny and be sure to have a net at the ready for not

only fish but maybe the extra joy of frog and turtle bonus

“catches” that can salvage a fishless day into a treasure

of alternative biological wonders. If you use a light, long

handled net with very tight

mesh, the kids can also catch

butterflies or moths, snag

crickets and grasshoppers

for bait and turn this part of

the day into one of the most

enjoyable activities they are

actively doing themselves

Expect all of the above

activities to get the children

dirty so a hand pump of gel

disinfectant hand cleaner is a

perfect portable item to carry.

A batch of fish rags or towels

also goes with this listing as

wipes do too. There will be

needs from pre lunch hand

cleaning to post falling in the

mud washing off and some

delightful fish slime in the

middle of it all!

We all pray for safety

but it also means we take

preventative measures ahead

of time. Hats and/or scarves

to protect from the burning rays of the noon day sun

protect us all. High numbered anti sun burn ointments that

coat exposed young skin and don’t wash off protect for the

future against insidious skin cancers. Sun glasses protect

the eyes and also enable the youthful angler to spot more

fish under the glare reduced water. Even new clothing,

especially fishing shirts and pants has been designed that

protect the wearer against the harmful rays of the sun

No trip anywhere should be taken without a basic first aid

kit accompanying the group. Band aids of several sizes,

duct tape, peroxide, burn ointment, cortisone crème,

antihistamine tablets, aspirin tablets, Bacteen anti infection

spray, tweezers, scissors, gauze pads, sterile eye dressing,

and ace bandage wraps are in the small kit I always lug in

a waterproof tackle box

If you plan ahead and are blessed with great weather

then the following is just dead weight. However, I can’t list

the number of days in my life we were rained on when it

was not forecast and this scribe usually was fully prepared

with a set of foul weather gear. Please do the same and

bring at least those dollar store ponchos for everyone in

your angling party so if there is a cloudburst you might

even keep catching catfish and remain relatively dry and

have fun too! I carry quality gear that will last because I

fish triple digit days every year and weather nastiness wins

Always take your

phone in case of

an emergency.

There is no substitute

for RICHARDSONS’ MAPTECH.

There is no substitute

for paper charts and guides.

SAFE, RELIABLE AND EASY TO USE

Richardsons’

Chartbook + Cruising Guide

Maptech

Waterproof Charts and Chartbooks

Includes cruising information, marine facilities, aerial photos,

GPS waypoints and navigational reference data.

Waterproof pages perfect for use in any weather.

Chartbooks include GPS waypoints and locations of marinas,

restaurants, fuel and boat ramps.

1-888-839-5551

www.richardsonscharts.com

Purchase at your local marine dealer or bookstore

Visit our website to see our complete line

of charts and cruising guides.

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many times. Quality wrist cuffs wind/rain proof zipper lines

and sealed hoods all matter when sleet hits you at forty

miles an hour. The more you face the outdoors the better

the gear you will want to use against what Mother Nature

throws at you and your children.

Try to let the TV weatherman be your best ally in your first

forays into fishing with little ones. Pick a bluebird morning

that is almost guaranteed to be a perfect sunny day so no

weather variable ruins the joy you anticipate providing for

your child. Next month I‘ll share some beginning fishing

“psychology” with kids.