One Day on a Fishing Trip

One Day on a Fishing Trip

One Day on a Fishing Trip

• Writers: Maureen O’Neal, Gail Botten

• Illustrations: David Botten

• Narrator: Lisa Brandt

One Day on a Fishing Trip

• My name is Chaske and one of my favourite things to do is to go fishing.

One Day on a Fishing Trip

• During the spring, when the days become longer and the sun feels so warm after a long winter, I love to be outside. Even though my friends and I like to play video games or watch TV, once the spring comes, it seems like we are always outside.

One Day on a Fishing Trip

• When I go fishing, I usually go with my brother, Chetan. Chetan always comes in his boat to pick me up. He is a very good driver and he knows where all the good fishing spots are. Today, I am outside, watching for Chetan, as he is coming to take me fishing.

One Day on a Fishing Trip

• Chetan arrived early and my mother wasn’t home yet, but she knows that I am safe with Chetan. I ran down the long set of steps at our house, out to the dock and climbed into the front part of the boat, which is my favourite spot.

One Day on a Fishing Trip

• Chetan always makes me put on my lifejacket before we go, but I don’t mind because I know that it will keep me safe...and it also keeps me extra warm!

One Day on a Fishing Trip

• As we cruise down the river, I sit comfortably in my seat and watch all the houses go by. He takes a longer route this time because it is Spring and the currents are quite strong. I dip my fingers in the water but quickly pull them out again – the water is freezing cold!

One Day on a Fishing Trip

• Chetan laughs. “You wouldn’t want to fall in the water at this time of year”, he said.

One Day on a Fishing Trip

• Shortly after, we see another boat approaching and Chetan slows down so that we don’t tip because of the waves from the other boat. The driver of the other boat tipped his hat at Chetan and I as he drove past, and I waved.

One Day on a Fishing Trip

• After the water calms, Chetan speeds up again and I can see ahead that we are almost there.

One Day on a Fishing Trip

• When we get to the fishing spot, there are three other boats there already. Chetan and I pick out our spot, throw in the anchor and bait our lines. Chetan, who always seemed to be quicker at everything, had his fishing line dropped in before me. Then, you just have to wait.

One Day on a Fishing Trip

• Sometimes, it takes a while before you catch anything and sometimes you have to go and try a different spot. I don't mind waiting though. I can close my eyes while I'm fishing and feel the warm sun on my face.

One Day on a Fishing Trip

• After a while, Chetan said, “the fish aren’t biting here, let’s go try that spot over there near the lily pads”. Chetan began to collect our fishing gear but suddenly I felt a tug on my line. “Wait!” I called out as I began to reel in the fish.

One Day on a Fishing Trip

• Easily, I was able to draw the fish in and I stood up to show my fish proudly to the other fisherman.

One Day on a Fishing Trip

• Suddenly another boat came speeding along very quickly creating waves very close to the fishing area. I tried hard to keep my balance but suddenly I felt myself falling backwards into the water.

One Day on a Fishing Trip

• Luckily, I had my lifejacket on and easily surfaced and made my way back to the boat. But the cold water quickly began to make by muscles stiff, and I began to shiver and had a difficult time breathing.

One Day on a Fishing Trip

• The other fishing boats had come over to help Chetan and me, and one of the fishermen pulled me into his boat as he could see that I was struggling. He had a warm blanket in his boat that he wrapped around me.

One Day on a Fishing Trip

• I heard a voice calling out and I looked up to see my grandfather’s boat. Grandfather paddled up to where the other boats were. He had a stern look on his face.

One Day on a Fishing Trip

• “Chaske, where have you two been? Your mother is worried sick. You didn’t tell us where you were going or that you would be with your brother. What has happened?”

One Day on a Fishing Trip

• “But Grandfather, didn’t you see the fish I caught?” I said.

One Day on a Fishing Trip

• Grandfather carefully tied up his boat and then came to admire the fish I had caught. “Well done, Chaske. I’m proud that your fishing skills are getting better and better.” Despite the cold, I smiled warmly to hear my grandfather’s praise.

One Day on a Fishing Trip

• “However”, continued Grandfather, “the most important thing is that we know where you are and that you are safe”. “Now let’s get you home quickly so that we can get you some warm milk and warm you up in some dry clothes and blankets.”

• The End

Acknowledgements

• This project was made possible by generous financial support from the following organizations:

• Healthy Communities Fund, Ministry of Health Promotion, Ontario

• Donated services and support provided by Safe Kids Canada

• Donated services and support provided by Canadian Red Cross, First Aid, Swimming and Water Safety Services, Ontario Zone.

• The First Nations Water Safety Education Advisory Committee and the Canadian Red Cross developed this resource.

• © Copyright 2009. Reproduction in whole or in part can be made with permission of the Canadian Red Cross, Ontario Zone, except where otherwise noted.