For most of us, our fishing career began at a young age. The ride to the river or lake was a close second only to the anticipation and sleepless night before going fishing. It usually involved a quick stop at the bait store in the morning to pick up the crickets and worms that would aid in the excitement about to unfold on the water. After listening impatiently to the adults discuss what is working and where they have been ‘gettin’ em’, you raced to the truck ready for a full day of excitement.
For me, it was hucking a cricket, attached to a short rod and closed-face reel, as far as I could and waiting for that subtle movement that indicated a bluegill was inhaling my bait. I entertained myself by chasing the crickets that got loose the last time I dropped the bait box.
Sometimes, I dug in the worm dirt for that one lunker of a nightcrawler we picked up the last time it rained. Some days, that bobber would drop time after time and the five-gallon bucket would fill up quickly. Other days, I had more bait in the bottom of the boat than in the containers.
My father had the patience to take me on these weekend trips and I don’t really remember how many fish I caught or the days when we didn’t catch any. What I recall is the solitude of being on the water, the beauty around me, and the wildlife we sometimes saw creeping through the trees or sharing the water with us.
In the off-season I often think of those simple times and how much fun it was to just go fishing. I have since been able to return the favor to my parents. Now I’m the one tying on their fly and netting their fish. I have also been fortunate to meet and become good friends with many people that have the same love of the outdoors as I do.
Every season I look forward to seeing and spending time on the river with those special people. We catch up on what is happening in our lives. Sometimes, the next generation is brought to fishing camp and I get to enjoy that excited look when they first see the river. That first fish always brings a loud war cry from everybody in the boat as we drift down the river with smiles from ear-to-ear. I have, on occasion, had three generations fish together. I’ve watched the pride trickle down as the youngster starts picking up the routine and needs less and less instruction by days end.
This is a place where the phone doesn’t ring, the remote control is a distant memory, and all other matters disappear. There is only the river, great company, and the anticipation of that next fish rising to the fly. The places we go and the people we meet along the way are one of the many special things about the great sport of fly-fishing. As we introduce the younger generation to our sport, we ensure that the future of our rivers and strong family bonds last a lifetime.
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Excellent….Well Done!!!!
Hey, I know that guy!
“On fish” Life at its best for sure!
Wow Jay,
I would say that you are deep in your progression of becoming a true sportsman. Adopting the five stages of a hunter to a fisherman, I think you are well ahead of the curve.
1) Casting Stage – Doesn’t matter how it looks, where it lands or if the fish spooked, as long as you get to do it by yourself. There is an uncontroled eagerness to get a line wet.
2) Limiting Out Stage – Fill the stringer as often as possible and at all costs.
3) Trophy Stage – Bigger becomes better than more.
4) Method Stage – Process becomes the focus. Zebco to spinning reel to baitcaster to fly rod to spey rod.
5) Sportsman Stage. Affermation of the outdoors takes priority as well as teaching and sharing the experience.
Congratulations on your advancement of becoming a true sportsman. Remember, it is still ok to occaisionally revert to one of the previous stages.
Watch your backcast!
Walt
well said, Jay…….it’s hard to explain why fishing is fun.
Cutting edge effective—-! Need to write more as It was to brief.
Makes me want to throw away the flies and go back to worms.
Some how in your thoughts you forgot to mention the buck with the broken horn.
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See you on the river soon JERK JERK JERK..FISH ON.
Very Good Stuff
All the people who have responded are my fishing buddies. They’re great people, whom
I’ve met fishing, had great conversations on fishing, politics and the way the world is going in our eyes. We’ve caught nice fish, laughed and cried together. We’ve tried to help people, schools and communities in Idaho. We’ve been all brought together with fishing as a the denominator.
Bottom Line – - We are all kids at heart – - – - – - – -” and mine is bigger than yours”.
Hey Jay,
Way to go, you captured the feelings of all “reel” fishermen. I loved it!
I’ll get the worms and crickets….lets go fishin.
Wonderful writing…..
This brings back wonderful memories. Reading it makes me long for spring and time on the water with family.
Hi Jay,
Finding peace and loving what you do is what its all about. Loved reading how you truly capture the fly fishing feeling.Hope other fly fishers will be inspired to take young people fishing so they can experience nature and all it offers.
Jay,
It was a wonderful article on fishing and memories. Had no idea that you are such a gifted writer!!!! Would love to read more! Thanks!
Hey Jay
It is good to know what really matters .we often forget where we started .You have always taken the path that most of us cau only dream of .Always be ture to the line and the fly ,for that is where smiles come from . Live life well !
Jay,
From one Hoosier to another–well said! Dad teaching me to fish for bluegills and bass on the lakes in Indiana. The early morning drives; the conversation; the morning fog on the water as the sun was rising; all indelibly etched! And now, the opportunity to payback by introducing him to the mountains, the eagles, the middle narrows and the snake on a few “late in life” trips! You really captured what makes fly fishing fundamental, and elemental, in our lives.
I only take a small exception to your article and the accompanying photos. While it is true that these early father and son bonding experiences are special–at this stage of my life, I can not wait for the chance to introduce my young granddaughters to the sounds of the mountain streams, the wildlife and the excitement of presenting the fly to an explosion of color rising straight up from the stone bottom!
When they grow to be my age, I am certain they will also reflect warmly on the shared experience of Grandpa introducing them to the serenity and self-satisfaction of time spent on the waters in Idaho!