Size of the smile is what matters

What a successful free fishing weekend here at Michigan's Other Great Lakes. No records were broken, not a lot of "keepers" caught. But there were more than enough smiles to go around.

It was not the size of the fish that mattered this weekend, but more the size of the heart of all who put themselves out for the Free Family Fishing event.

Michelle with the State Park Explorer Program moved her Fishing Frenzy to earlier in the day Saturday and handed out prizes while the Lyon Township volunteers invited the clown Yella Rosa to the park to entertain the youth.

The Houghton Lake Sportsmen's Club gave away nearly 100 rods, reels and tackle boxes at Houghton Lake, a gift that may last a lifetime.

The volunteers in St. Helen invited Paddle Brave to bring kayaks to the beach and teach anyone who wanted to give it a try.

There will be more details and thank yous in the press and on social media, but this is the place to give the biggest shout out to the parents and grandparents who are teaching their young ones the value of this fine sport.

How encouraging it was to see grandpas and fathers bring their young ones down to the docks. A grandmother who has been fishing all her life, came down with her grandson. He was helped further by a friendly, visiting angler.

Whole families - fathers, mothers, sons and daughters where sharing the excitement. That was the true success of the event and the grand prize for all of them was the happy smiles of the little anglers.

Fish-again in Michigan - the tradition continues

Want your young ones to put down their smart phones and tablets? Trade them for a fishing rod and teach them how to fish. It works.
Case in point - the first person to catch a fish in the Houghton Lake Area Tourism Bureau's 2016-17 fishing contest was a 7-year-old girl. She put her own bait on the hook, dropped her line, and caught a 12-inch rock bass. A picture is worth a thousand words:

Her great-grandparents used to fish Higgins and Houghton Lakes. She was with her grandparents and father, carrying on the family tradition. What greater gift can be passed on to your children than a love of being on the water and fishing with those you love?
Residents and volunteers of Michigan's Other Great Lakes understand. The second annual Family Fishing Fest is June 11 on Michigan's Free Fishing Weekend. Higgins Lake, Houghton Lake and Lake St. Helen communities have come together and planned family events at all three lakes and organized a fishing contest (not a registered, serious fishing derby) with prizes for 12 and under and for the adults who take them fishing. Visit https://www.facebook.com/fish4free/ or call 800-676-5330 for details.
Won't you be pleased when you hear your child ask "where's my rod? I want to fish-again!"