Columnist Paula DelGiudice: Go boating for family fun

Paula DelGiudice

Thursday, Dec. 6, 2001 | 10:11 a.m.

Paula DelGiudice's outdoors notebook appears weekly. Reach her at desertdenizens@aol.com.

Many families nowadays are searching for a way to reconnect. According to the organization Family Life First, children's playtime has declined by 25 percent over the last 20 years. Over that same period, unstructured outdoor activities have declined by 50 percent, family dinners have decreased by 33 percent and family vacations have decreased by 28 percent.

A 1999 study by the White House Council on Economic Advisers reported that parent/child family time decreased by 22 percent between 1969 and 1996.

This information should really come as no surprise because today's Americans spend more time working than they used to. In 1976, 33 percent of married couples worked; now it is 51 percent.

In the book "The Overworked American," it was estimated the average employed person now works the equivalent of 163 hours more per year -- an entire extra month -- than 20 years ago.

Since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, though, the trend could be changing. People are now talking of foregoing their standard practice of taking a major vacation every year or two in favor of doing things together more often and closer to home.

Fishing and boating should be put at the top of everyone's list as good, healthy alternatives.

This holiday season, the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (WaterWorksWonders.org) has some excellent ideas for gifts.

One idea for your holiday gift list is a subscription to a fishing or boating magazine. Another idea is a boating education course. These courses typically cover boat handling, legal requirements, rules and regulations, navigation, safety requirements, terminology, weather and more.

If you are considering a larger, for-the-entire-family purchase this year, consider a boat. Boats come in all sizes and in a wide variety of prices. Many people are surprised to find that boats are more affordable than they thought.

Fishing equipment is a good bet for the angler. Rods, reels, hooks, line, lures and clothing all make great gifts.

Next on the list of items recommended by the RBFF is a guided fishing trip. It's amazing how much you can learn in one day of fishing with a guide. Call one of our excellent Lake Mead fishing guides and schedule a day. You can learn more about fishing the lake from an experience guide than by fishing on your own for the next 10 years.

Also consider a houseboat outing. Call Forever Resorts at (800) 255-5561 for information on houseboating at Lake Mead or Lake Mohave. Houseboats offer all the niceties of camping out, only with luxuries such as hot showers and microwaves. You can tow your own small skiff behind the houseboat or rent one to use for exploring and fishing. It's one of the best family vacations out there.

"In Nevada annual licenses are not based on a calendar year, but a period that coincides with the closing of hunting seasons," said Patty Wagner, NDOW license office supervisor. "Since rabbit season is the last to close on Feb. 28, that's when licenses expire."