Over the years I have written many an article about fishing to be sure. And, although this one is clearly my personal favorite, I'm not sure it's really about fishing at all.
You see, this was a great trip not because of weather or location or the many fish we caught. This was a great trip because of my companion; my eldest son. And it may well have been our last trip together.
I can still see his face when he caught his first perch at age five; smiling ear to ear while hiding the nervousness of what he might have to do about a very squirmy fish on his hook.
And now he is his own man, and a fine one at that. There are a million things a 21 year old could be doing instead of sitting in a boat with the old man, but I was grateful he didn't see it that way. If this was indeed to be our last trip together, I couldn't have asked for a better time. We seem to change out there on the lake, our fast paced life far behind us. We weren't even father and son, just two guys enjoying a slower pace, beautiful nature, and good conversation.
We seemed to be able to talk about things we never would at home. Things like his plan to make movies and his desire to move away from the cold climate. His secret desire to leave school and travel for a while. And I just listened. I didn't judge or advise (much). With the belief that this was likely our last trip, I just enjoyed watching him.
It's funny how fishing and time distort each other. For me time just stops out on the water. The "real" world disappears. There's only that moment, and I wished I could freeze the moment forever.
What a cruel joke of nature that our principal job with our kids is also the toughest one: to let them go. To teach them to be self sufficient and well adjusted, and then let them fly away. My wife and I are so happy that we learned early on to stop and appreciate the "moment" as they happen. Time really does pass too quickly.
And when he caught that perch on our last day, we glanced at each other. A nod to the past perhaps, but also to what seems to be a new life chapter and our new roles within it. Oh, and I'm happy to report that he still smiles ear to ear when he catches a perch.
This may not have been our last fishing trip together. But if it was I am terribly grateful we did it. It is a new chapter in his life--in our lives--and, although bittersweet, I am so glad we pulled off this last minute trip together.
So if you're lucky enough to fish with your kids, remember to cherish the moments. Teach them, yes, but just sit and watch them too. Time does not, as it turns out, stop out there on the lake.
You see, this was a great trip not because of weather or location or the many fish we caught. This was a great trip because of my companion; my eldest son. And it may well have been our last trip together.
I can still see his face when he caught his first perch at age five; smiling ear to ear while hiding the nervousness of what he might have to do about a very squirmy fish on his hook.
And now he is his own man, and a fine one at that. There are a million things a 21 year old could be doing instead of sitting in a boat with the old man, but I was grateful he didn't see it that way. If this was indeed to be our last trip together, I couldn't have asked for a better time. We seem to change out there on the lake, our fast paced life far behind us. We weren't even father and son, just two guys enjoying a slower pace, beautiful nature, and good conversation.
We seemed to be able to talk about things we never would at home. Things like his plan to make movies and his desire to move away from the cold climate. His secret desire to leave school and travel for a while. And I just listened. I didn't judge or advise (much). With the belief that this was likely our last trip, I just enjoyed watching him.
It's funny how fishing and time distort each other. For me time just stops out on the water. The "real" world disappears. There's only that moment, and I wished I could freeze the moment forever.
What a cruel joke of nature that our principal job with our kids is also the toughest one: to let them go. To teach them to be self sufficient and well adjusted, and then let them fly away. My wife and I are so happy that we learned early on to stop and appreciate the "moment" as they happen. Time really does pass too quickly.
And when he caught that perch on our last day, we glanced at each other. A nod to the past perhaps, but also to what seems to be a new life chapter and our new roles within it. Oh, and I'm happy to report that he still smiles ear to ear when he catches a perch.
This may not have been our last fishing trip together. But if it was I am terribly grateful we did it. It is a new chapter in his life--in our lives--and, although bittersweet, I am so glad we pulled off this last minute trip together.
So if you're lucky enough to fish with your kids, remember to cherish the moments. Teach them, yes, but just sit and watch them too. Time does not, as it turns out, stop out there on the lake.
About the Author:
Derek Gatehouse is quite serious about fishing. To see Derek's principal fishing website, which sells Shimano reels, please go to Shimano Fishing.
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