Fishing for chipmunks.
After more than three years of camping in tents, we finally had a fully functional cabin that would allow us to be much more comfortable. We had a full kitchen, full bathroom, living room, two bedrooms as well as a sleeping area with two bunkbedas on the upper level.
The cabin was situated at the end of a long driveway. It was on the edge of a hill leading down to the lake itself. We had a large front porch, covered by the roof of the second story.
Down a few stairs lead you to the barbeque about 6 to 8 feet below the porch.
We have deck chairs tables on the deck to enjoy the views. There were many chipmunks who did not seem to be afraid of us at all. We supplied all kinds of bird feed, sunflower seeds as well as peanuts to these friendly little guys and girls. They would come right up to our laps for a snack. They seem to love the peanuts in the shell and would easily grab a peanut place it in her cheeks, and then scamper off. My son or my daughter came up with the idea of tying a peanut shell, to a fishing line. You could stand on the porch with your fishing rod, then lower the peanut to the grass area about 6 to 8 people. Great idea… We tried it out and it was an immediate success.
After the Lord peanut hit the ground, a minute or so later several chipmunks would show up. The lucky chipmunk would grab the peanut including the fishing line, and stuff it into his pouch.
Then gently raise the fishing rod and make the little guy dance.
We’re very careful not to hurt them, but it was definitely entertaining.
The fishing line, was very low test rate, And would soon break, and off would go the chippy with his feast. We soon graduated to two or even three fishing rods, all operated from the porch at the same time. The operators were my kids. They developed several coordinated dance routines with the chipmunks. I would film this from down below, and the lap so much, I was thinking of sending the footage to “funniest home videos”.
However, the chipmunks eventually learn simply to grab the peanut, bite the fishing line, and then scamper off with your prize. However sometimes it seemed one or two would stay on for a few dance moves, before severing the tie and then moving on. Chipmunk fishing is one of the favourite memories of her family.
I sometimes wonder if any of the female chipmunks had any aspiration of a joining the Rockettes in New York City.