Another Adventure Bag Addition

We have chatted up a homemade fishing rod to a few friends. This is fishing rod the boys learned how to make at Boy Scouts, made from recycled material and can be put together in about 20 mins. The kids have full fishing rods, tackle boxes, and bait galore, but this little fishing rod is the perfect addition to their adventure bags. It is small, easy to use, perfect for off the side of the dock or along the water's edge.

First you need a plastic bottle. One with a wider mouth such as Gatorade. (not something we normally have around- but the kids were delighted to share a drink)

Take the lid off. Saw the bottle in half, about four-six inches down from the top. It is very easy to saw and it's something my guys love to do. You could also cut the plastic if that is preferred.

You are going to use the top of the bottle for your rod. The edges of the plastic are quite sharp and jagged. Use a piece of sandpaper to rub the edges until they are smooth. This takes a few minutes but it does a great job.

In between the mouth part of the bottle and where the bottle begins to widen is the neck. It is here that you will drill two holes about an inch apart. I was skeptical, imagining the plastic to buckle under the pressure of the drill. But it worked just great. Next you will thread a piece of fishing line through the two holes and tie a knot. This will keep the line attached.

Measure and cut off five arm lengths (that is what I am told) of fishing line. Thread it through the two holes and wrap it around the neck of the bottle. On the end of the line you are going to attach a link. It has a loop on both ends. Tie the line to one end, on the other you will attach a clip. Then the hook attaches to this clip. The last thing to attach is a weight. This small ball has a slit into which you slip the line into and pinch closed. Sometimes they tie a bobber on. Sometimes they don't. These are all things you can get at a fishing store or the fishing section of Canadian Tire for less than a few dollars.

I made little drawstring bags for them to put their rods in so that they don't unravel in their bags. To date they have caught rock bass, sunfish, and perch. They use corn if we are prepared or bits of snack if we aren't and sometimes nothing at all.

Happy Fishing