[Celebration] The Old and the Secrets of Fishing

[Karen4131]

- When the ice is 15 to 20 cm thick, we cross the lake and visit the neighbors on the other side, whom we don’t see very often.

 December has taken hold, and I’m eagerly waiting for the lake to freeze over again, just as it did last year. It was magical to see the icy surface stretch out in the stillness of winter – a reminder of the cold, stable winters of days gone by. I’m considering opening the house for winter fishing, letting guests try their luck with a hole in the ice and a fishing rod in hand.

- My father's fishing setup last winter

Although I’m not there myself, my guests often write to me about their experiences. And one thing always stands out: it’s the older ones who catch the fish. I couldn’t help but smile when I began to notice the pattern – it reminded me so much of my own 85-year-old father. Whenever we go fishing, it’s always him who reels them in, while the rest of us cast our lines without much luck.

- My 85-year-old father, fixing a very old large fishing hook for catching pike.

One guest shared a story last summer about a family trip to the lake. The younger family members enthusiastically cast their lines, but the grandfather, calmly seated in a folding chair, caught the day’s prize: a perch, a pike, and a fine bream. “He made it look like the most natural thing in the world,” the guest wrote, “and the rest of us just had to admit defeat – he’s the family’s fishing champion.”

I love hearing stories like these. They remind me that life experience still matters, even in a time when youth often gets all the attention. Knowing the water, having patience, and understanding when to wait – it’s an art that takes time to master.

- We always put this fishing chart out for our Airbnb guests so they can see which fish are in the lake.This year, my father is coming to spend Christmas at the cabin, and I plan to get as many tips and tricks out of him as I can. Maybe I’ll create a little guide to winter fishing for my guests – a kind of "Airbnb for beginners on the ice". That way, the younger ones might finally land a catch and avoid listening to grandpa’s triumphant stories for once. Even though… he certainly deserves them.

I wish everyone a joyful holiday season.

- Karen

[Marisa182]

@Karen4131  Lovely story, Karen, I enjoyed it so much, along with the great photos. Thank you for sharing and Happy Holidays!