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Wednesday, March 10, 2010
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Rice Lake Rookie
By Doug Graham
It all started with a simple enough comment.
"You know, we should buy a trailer someday."
Well, someday is here.
As of this weekend, my family and I are what you can call Rice Lake Rookies. We've bought ourselves a trailer and have set up camp in Bewdley, and now begins the journey of learning about the lake and all there is to see in your local towns and villages. My aunt and uncle have been here in Bewdley for almost 20 years, and we've been visiting them every summer for I don't know how long.
Finally we decided to join the club, so here we are!
We've just enjoyed our first week here, and despite the rain of Friday, we've had a wonderful time. Actually, I enjoyed sitting under the awning with a beer watching the rain roll by.
I'm hooked.
Most of you are experts compared to myself. I'm not familiar with the lake and its towns, so I have plenty to learn in that respect. For example, I don't know where to go to get propane for the BBQ, or bait for fishing, or tackle, or diapers for our wee lad.
You catch my drift.
But we are looking forward to exploring your neck of the woods, since we plan on being for as long as you'll have us!
I do, however, know where the LCBO outlet is. (I have finely honed survival instincts.)
As of last week, all the paperwork was signed, sealed and delivered so the next step was awaiting arrival of our new second home to our site.
Our first task involved stocking the trailer. Who knew it didn't come fully stocked with food and dishes? I'm always learning. Personally, all I needed were some frozen hot dogs and a case of beer. My wife (who will be referred to hereafter as The Boss) thought otherwise. We have three boys, ages 11, 8 and 15 months, so food - and lots of it - was somewhat of a priority.
So in the days leading up to our Rice Lake adventure, WalMart received a nice donation from my paycheque, as did the local dollar and grocery stores. As much as I made my point about the hot dogs and beer, I wasn't going to win this one. And what's wrong with fishing every day for your dinner? Survival of the fittest! That was my plan, but I was outvoted 4-1. Even the baby shouted me down. Guess they don't want to hinge their survival on my fishing skills. Smart family.
But I was right about the beer. It's a necessity. Which is why the shed now is home to a second fridge so I can help support Ontario's finest breweries. See? I'm getting the hang of this Rice Lake thing.
Remember your first visit to Rice Lake? The first time you set up camp, or cottage or trailer? What was at the top of your list of things to do?
You got it … FISHING.
I can't wait to get out on the lake and find myself a few choice spots. I figured I could just wander around town, asking folks if they can offer up some advice on the fishing. But fishermen being fishermen, well, we don't like to cough up our secrets now, do we? So this coming week my mission is to get out on your beautiful lake and discover some of its secrets. I love to fish. I could sit in a boat for 10 hours straight, all alone, patiently waiting. My wife agrees … she'd love for me to be out on the lake for 10 hours, boat or no boat! The longer the better ...
There is much to discover about Rice Lake, and we look forward to the many adventures that lay ahead of us.
I look forward to the kids learning about the lake, learning how to fish, respecting catch and release and the environment in general. And I look forward to spending time also in Bewdley, most likely at The Rhino, which I hear has cold beer and hot wings.
I knew I picked the right place.
So I'd like to thank you all for reading.
Since the five of us Grahams are just beginning the first of many adventures here on Rice Lake, I hope you'll stay with us and share in our experiences through this wonderful website.
I look forward to your emails, and I look forward to meeting up with so many of you through our every day journeys in town and out on the lake.
Well, I need to sign off now. I've just been told by The Boss that when you flush the toilet the shower goes on. That's not a good thing.
Clearly I've done something wrong with the water hookups.
This boy has much to learn.
Good fishing to all, DG
Doug Graham recently bought a trailer which he now has on a seasonal site somewhere on the lake. Doug is an editor with a large publisher in a big city.
he can be reached at email.
The opinions and views of our contributors are not necessarily parallel of the collective organizers and principles responsible for the production and presentation of the Rice Lake Today website.
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