Being an Islander (from the Isle of Wight that is) has its occupational hazards. One of them is developing an all encompassing, life consuming obsession with fish. What they eat. Where they swim. How big they might be growing. Catching the slippery little buggers.
I have not fallen as deeply under the allure of fishing as the men of the family have, mostly because I now live in a city, not near the beautiful brine. My cousin however, having remained on the Island, is an avid fisherman. He even bought a kayak for chrissakes.
Anyway, he offered to take us fishing down the pier this afternoon and I jumped at the chance – I haven’t been for ages and I think 4.5 is a fine age to be introduced to the lifelong torment that is dangling worms in endless gallons of seemingly empty water. Welcome son, to the despondency and heart ache of never getting a single bite, of feeling wet and cold, of sticking hooks in your fingers, catching massive blobs of slimy seaweed and slipping on your arse down the last 10 foot of cliff mud steps (disclaimer: this might just be me)
We managed to bypass the arcade and rides successfully and got set up.
First worm plops over the side, and rod is handed to an extremely excited boy.
Then this happens.
Then this.
Then this.
I kid you not, the jammy little sod caught FIVE fish in about 6 casts. Five!!! You never get five!! I NEVER GET FIVE. EVER.
Chief Jammy Jammerson 
I *may* have then taken over his spot and had a go myself.
And I caught three! Including the biggest by far! IN YOUR FACE CHILD!
Please excuse my crazy fisherwoman hair and face. It’s entirely involuntary. I would have worn make up if I thought we were actually going to catch anything!
I wanted to carry on but RJ got bored and wanted to hit the arcade, which was fair enough. There’s only so much luck of the deep you should use up in your first go.
In all seriousness though, I think this was the first thing that I love (apart from stories) that I could share with him that he seemed to really enjoy as well. A really happy memory made.
Looks like you had a great time. Ita ages since I last went fishing, but I use to love it. I wasnt very sucessful though. #bestandworst
What a lovely experience for a little boy with bountiful catch too! #bestandworst
Are these pictures on the Isle of Wight? Wherever they are I want to go!! Not just for the fish- what are the crazy rides in the background? My 5 year old caught her first fish this summer too- it was so much fun!
Yes it’s Sandown Pier – it’s brilliant, you can fish off the end and then go on the arcades – they’ve even got mini-golf and bowling there! 🙂
Ok- it’s in my bucket list!
Beginners luck! 🙂
Wow, I didn’t really think fishing would be child friendly as I thought it was hours of sitting around waiting with nothing happening but it seems like you had an action packed excursion.
#brilliantblogposts
It usually is. I would have put some make up on if I thought we’d actually catch anything! 🙂
No need, you’re wearing happiness and look gorge!
This post really made me smile! Such a lovely day out and you sound as competitive as me so I really had a giggle. What lovely shots as well. I hope you get to go again and catch some more. Could be a real family outing. Thanks for sharing with #bestandworst lovely and see you againxx
I guffawed at your very accurate description of the reality of fishing! But then for you to be so successful! That really was fab for all of you, especially your little boy! I felt pleased as punch for him that he did so well! Lovely pictures too! Thank you so much for sharing with us at #bigpinklink!
I know I couldn’t believe it! Probably enough to get him addicted, I’m sure he’ll feel the pain at a later date 😀 x
wow you both did awesome! I have never caught five, or even 3! But I did catch 2 yay me! I would love a kayak but then I saw the price and decided it’s not in the budget right now. I haven’t fish for years now. #bigpinklink
Well done! I don’t think I would ever be brave enough to get out on a kayak though…! Xx
Well done RJ! Great job 5 fish!! Great pics of your day, love the windswept look, I look like that on most holiday pics x
Yep it’s a classic look! 🙂
5 FISH! That IS amazing. Love the photos as well. Thank god you caught some fish, I wouldn’t be able to handle the shame hahah ; ). #BloggerClubUK
I had such a laugh at the “in your face child”! Oh it’s funny how competitive we moms can be – myself included. Congrats to your son on catching five fish & you on catching the biggest one! Your cousin picked a great fishing spot. Thanks so much for joining us at #bloggerclubuk x
5 fish!!! I mean that is just showing off! I love that you caught the biggest fish and were “in your face child” and then forced him into a picture with you where you look very gleeful, him less so! Haha. We have to do these things to our children to remind them that we are still the best 😉 #chucklemums
Haha I know! 😀
Ha! In your face! Love that saying….so going to steal it. Along with jammy Jammerson… Crackers. Cheers at #chucklemum
Welcome! 😀
You’re going to have to keep taking him, so he learns the reality of fishing and ‘the one that got away’! But I’m glad it went so well. #chucklemums
I will 🙂
Ahhh this is lovely…and funny. You totally win with the biggest one! I’ve never tried fishing but I do get the joy of sharing in something you love with your little one (oh and winning, did I mention winning!?) #chucklemums
Oh yes. Winning. Winning is key
Ah how wonderful. What lovely pics – and all those fish!! How lovely to share this together, making memories….and perhaps a new hobby! x #chucklemums
He’ll need to learn patience first! 🙂 X
He’ll be hooked now!! 5 fish from 6 casts is the stuff legends are made of! We haven’t graduated beyond crabbing here in Devon. Did you fry them up or throw them back? If you caught ‘Tiddler’ you better throw him back because he’s already late!!! x
Always catch and return (unless a tasty one!) 🙂
Congrats on a bountiful catch. I tried to take my three-year-old crabbing last summer. We caught nothing and I think I’ve put him off for life #chucklemums
Yeah I think we’ve hooked him (badumtish)
Ha ha jammy jammerson – can’t believe he got 5 fish! Still least it means he will agree to going with you again #chucklemums
Indeed! 😀
I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so much at a post about fishing before! In fact, I’m not sure I’ve actually read anything about fishing before. Beginner’s luck catching all those fish I’d say! #chucklemums
There are giggles to be had everywhere 🙂 xx
Sounds like a fun day! I used to love going fishing with my dad as a child! Don’t think I ever caught 5! #chucklemums
He is very jammy.