#513 My Fishing Adventure

My Fishing Adventure

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#513 My Fishing Adventure (Child Version)


	“My Fishing Adventure” was created especially for Garrett Cole Powers at the age of 5 With Love From, Mom and Dad April, 2002
Garrett Cole Powers was peacefully reclining in his bed, browsing through his newest fishing catalog and thinking about the annual fishing contest on the Colorado River. “I sure wish I could enter,” Garrett said to himself as he flipped through the pages. 4
	Garrett turned the page and saw Bobber Bear in the catalog. “Boy, I wish I could be a fishing bear like Bobber Bear. I would be able to fish anytime I wanted,” thought Garrett as he gently nodded off to sleep. 7
Garrett began to dream. In his dream, he was magically transformed into Bobber Bear. What was even more amazing was the fact that Dad was also transformed into another fishing bear. 8
	Dad told Garrett to get his fishing rod because they were going to enter the fishing rodeo! Garrett was very excited as they began packing for their fishing trip. Along with sandwiches and fruit, they packed plenty of water to drink. Dad brought a tent. 11
They decided to go to the Bass Pro Shop to get sinkers, flies, hooks, floats and anything else they might need for the fishing contest. Dad also looked at the new boats, outdoor gear and other fishing equipment. 12
	Garrett was fascinated by the colossal 30,000 gallon saltwater aquarium they found stocked full of trophy-size fish of many types. There was even a real person in the tank hand-feeding the fish! 15
At the fish camp, Garrett and Dad set up the tent for the night. With the boat in the water, they took their places and Dad started the motor! “Look out, fish, here we come!” yelled Garrett and Dad at the same time. 16
	First they cruised up the river so Dad could find just the right spot. Garrett was starting to get impatient when Dad said, “This is the place!” Immediately, Garrett began looking for fish. He wished Paw Paw, Tevin, and Ty could be here with him. 19
Garrett watched Dad get one fishing pole ready. Next, Dad grabbed a spinner. Then Dad helped Garrett get his very own fishing rod ready. Garrett was going to try a plastic worm first. 20
	Garrett had trouble throwing out his fishing line. Several times it caught nothing other than branches of some nearby trees. Finally, he learned how to cast his artificial bait to the right spot. 23
The first time Garrett reeled in his line slowly. He was very disappointed that the fish were not biting. After three more casts, Garrett began to understand that you do not catch fish every single time you throw out your line. Soon Garrett was catching quite a few fish, but none of them were big enough to win a trophy! 24
	With the noon sun directly overhead, Dad reeled in the line, but Garrett left his line out and set his rod by his seat. 27
While he was eating lunch, Garrett heard a noise next to him. There was a quick jerk and his pole almost fell into the water. Garrett quickly grabbed the pole, but the fish that Garrett hooked was so-o-o big that it began pulling the boat! 28
	The sandwiches flew overboard as Garrett, Dad, the boat, and the fish headed down the river through the rapids. Dad looked so funny trying to keep one hand on the boat and the other on his hat. Garrett would have chuckled if he had not been afraid of losing his fish. 31
As the boat raced toward the shore, the other fishing contestants could not get out of the way fast enough. Fishing poles were snapping and lines were breaking, as Paw Paw, Tevin, and Ty and his other friends were cheering from the banks. Garrett was ready to land the fish and try to win the trophy! 32
	The fish was the biggest ever caught in the Colorado River. The loudspeaker hailed, “The winner of this year’s fishing contest is Garrett Cole Powers… “Garrett, Garrett! Wake up!” said Dad, while shaking Garrett out of his dream. “I just entered us in the big fishing contest. Let’s go now or we will be late!” Garrett grinned from ear to ear. Maybe his dream would come true after all! 35
Garrett Powers Favorite fish to catch _________________________ Favorite fish to eat __________________________ Favorite fishing location __________________________ Other fishing partners __________________________ __________________________ __________________________

“My Fishing Adventure”

Page 4

It had been a long day, and Bobby Powers was ready to hit the sack. As usual, he was looking forward to his favorite bedtime activity – reading his fishing catalog.

Although he rarely caught anything, Bobby was hooked on fishing. If he could only learn to land the big ones on the Colorado River!

Page 7

Certainly Bobby, at the ripe old age of 58, was no longer a child. However, Jamie, Lisa, and Billy suspected that deep down, he would always be a kid at heart when it came to fishing.

Fortunately for Bobby, nobody knew Bobber Bear was his hero! He carried his bear with him on every fishing trip.

Page 8

Being a real snoozer, Bobby began to doze off. He started to dream he had become Bobber Bear.

This was the most exciting dream he had ever had in his whole life! Mutt, his fishing pal, was also transformed into a bear.

Page 11

Now, to most of us, being transformed into a bear might be cause for a little concern. But Bobby was excited about it!

After all, bears, unlike himself, often catch fish. Not wanting to waste the opportunity, Bobby and Mutt hurriedly entered the local fishing tournament. Maybe this time they would win…something!

Page 12

Bobby and Mutt checked out sinkers, flies, hooks, floats and anything else they might need for the fishing contest at The Best Little Lure House. They also found time to pick up a few munchies and some cold beverages.

Bobby didn’t have enough pocket change to buy the new boat he admired. You’d think anything was possible in a dream!

Page 15

Next, Bobby and Mutt decided a visit to a fish aquarium would be beneficial. Last year, after being skunked at the tournament, Bobby had bought a rather large fish to fool Jamie, Lisa, and Billy.

Embarrassingly, though, the fish he had purchased was not even local to the area. Bobby’s credibility as a fishing wizard went right down the drain!

Page 16

Before they knew it, they were at their favorite fishing hole on the Colorado River. Bobby and Mutt opened their cold beverages and started some serious fishing.

As usual, the bites were incredible! Unfortunately, only the mosquitos and flies enjoyed the action.

Page 19

Several hours (and beverages) later, Bobby and Mutt were getting discouraged. Despite being fishing bears, they still weren’t catching any fish!

“Phew, it sure seems hot today,” exclaimed Bobby. “I’m sure I’ve had too much sun!” He opened yet another beverage.

Page 20

After trying all their other lures, they decided to switch to worms. Worms wiggled so much, and because Bobby was also a klutz, he often hooked himself, not the worm. Mercifully, Mutt agreed to bait his hook.

“We’ve got to catch something.” they both agreed. “Otherwise, we’ll have to listen to all that ridicule from Jamie, Lisa, and Billy again this year.

Page 23

Bobby prided himself on being a skilled angler. There was nothing he couldn’t do with a rod and line.

However, today his coordination seemed to be off. This was just more proof he had already had too much---------sun!

Page 24

After losing more than a few worms, sinkers and hooks, Bobby was finally successful.

“Well, at least I caught something that was alive!” retorted Bobby. “I can’t wait to show Jamie, Lisa, and Billy the 20-pound boot you hooked.”

Page 27

Bobby and Mutt had been fishing for hours and had only caught that one small fish. “I can’t believe this!” complained Bobby. “I thought bears always caught lots of fish!”

“Why don’t you just wind in your line, and let’s eat our lunch?” Mutt asked. “Then we can go home.”

Page 28

Suddenly, there was a big jerk on the end of Bobby’s line. No…it wasn’t Mutt.

Page 31

Now Bobby and Mutt knew the sun must really be affecting them. They imagined this fish was so-o-o-o big that it started pulling their boat!

Of course, never having caught a big fish before, they thought it wasn’t hard for their imaginations to play such a trick on them. However, they were going so fast, Mutt had to hold on to keep from flying out of the boat along with everything else!

Page 32

As the story goes, the boat went faster and faster. Furthermore, it was claimed that fishermen came from miles around to witness this incredible event.

Bobby clearly remembered Jamie, Lisa, and Billy cheering (or was it jeering?) from the shore. “I’m going to catch this fish and win the trophy even if it takes me all night!” declared a determined Bobby.

Page 35

To everyone’s surprise, especially Jamie, Lisa, and Billy, Bobby somehow managed to land the fish. Even more unbelievable, he was proclaimed the winner of the fishing tournament.

“Bobby! Wake up!” said Mutt, shaking Bobby out of his dream. “I just entered us in the fishing tournament. Let’s go now, or we’ll be late!”

Garrett Powers