Steve,
I've no doubt you have her best interests at heart. There are some really special people who contribute to this board/forum who are very willing to help as much as they can.

You don't make any mention of your entry point - Cache Bay, Prairie, others? (Silver Falls @ Cache Bay can be a challenge)

Folks could help a bit more with route planning, "expected" difficulties, and interesting waypoints (to a 7 y/o) if you posted your entry point.

My best advice (having had my young daughters fishing with me in Indiana, once upon a time) -

1. Warmth, hydration, and all around comfort should be your first priority (in my opinion). Be sure she has something she likes to eat (jerky and beans may not be her first choices), and keep something handy while you travel (ziploc bags deserve a Noble Prize in some category).

2. Maybe she can have her own jr. sized paddle, her own rod, something to do while traveling. Safety in the boat goes without saying.

3. You'll likely have to give up some of your personal and party goals as far as distances, time on the water, fishing time, etc. Kids at that age don't have much patience, nor tolerate boredom very well.
As with adult party members, there's always some give and take to try to make everybody happy. Adults on a canoe trip should be able to deal with whatever comes up; kids can't do that (yet).

4. Maybe have some routine "responsibilities" for her in camp; in charge of collecting kindling, in charge of selecting the tent site, something like that. Let her know she's really part of the "expedition" and that her opinion counts as much as anybody's.

Good luck and HAVE FUN. That way, she'll probably want to paddle with you "forever".

Posted by Skip Guyer on May 28, 2002 at 18:57
From IP address 206.148.145.76