There must be something in the collective American conscious when summer rolls around.
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As soon as the weather warms up, parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts can't wait to head down to the old fishing hole and share the simple joys of fishing with the kids.
On Saturday, that fishin' hole was the Crosswinds Marsh and the fish were biting and the kids were having a whale of a time.
"We had a pretty good turnout," said Wayne County Parks fishing and event specialist Darrin Bauer. "We had about 40 kids and about as many adults." Crosswinds Marsh, the jewel in the tri-community's crown when it comes to natural beauty, was a flurry of casting action, as first time guppies got some hands on lessons from experienced family members and friends.
Rods, tackle and bait were provided for anyone who wanted to fish but more importantly, it got families out to enjoy the natural beauty
of the marsh and spend time together.
"We want to promote fishing and get the kids out of doors and away from the videos," Bauer said.
"It doesn't matter if the fish are three inches or huge, the kids love it."
Kaylin Webb, of Huron Township, reeled in a winning 6.25 inch green sun fish.
However, like most sportsmen, Webb has her own style of casting, special lures and bait that only she uses to catch champion fish.
"It's my secret," she said.
"No one else should know."
Age and experience may be invaluable tools when it comes to fishing but some people are just born fishermen.
Ella Alford, 3, reeled in a 5.25 inch bass and took home a bright blue and white tackle box .
Her brother, Austin caught a bluegill and was visibly excited with the first fish he had ever caught.
Tyrus Septer caught a whopping 15.25 largemouth bass, a nice catch for anyone of any age and certainly something to be proud of, as jealous anglers of all ages looked on.
Wayne County Parks' Jennifer Zaenglin helped the kids
create their own specialty fish print tee shirts, an activity that proved as popular as fishing off the decks of Crosswinds Marsh.
Using acrylic paints and a fish shaped block to print a fish image, the kids couldn't decide which activity to dive into first.
"I came out with my neighbor's grandkids," Janice Bingham said.
"I'll clean their hands but my days of cleaning and scaling fish are long over."
Longtime fisherman Dave Keene felt seeing 40 kids, out with their families, enjoying the outdoors and appreciating nature was heartwarming.
"You want to know who the real conservationists and environmentalists are?" he asked.
"You're looking at them."Keene added, "This is real environmentalism and protecting our lakes and water for the future."
At Crosswinds Marsh this Saturday, Wayne County Parks will present the annual Nature Fest.
Beginning with registration at 1 p.m. kids of all ages can enjoy face painting, nature crafts and games, free canoeing, a scavenger hunt, a fishing contest and a nature photo, drawing and painting contest.
Winners of the contests will be announced at 4 p.m.
Make sure to bring your cameras for the Birds of Prey Program and the Michigan Animals Presentation.
"Kids 16 and under don't need a fishing license," Bauer said.
"We will have a limited number of fishing poles here for the contest."
Crosswinds Marsh can be reached by driving south on Sumpter Road, then turning left on Oakville- Waltz Road and left on Haggerty Road.
For more information on Crosswinds Marsh events call 1-734-654-1220.
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