I write articles about many things, and fishing is a big one for me. But to be honest, I'm not sure this particular article really belongs in the fishing category. Yet it's my favorite fishing story to date.
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 remember how he smiled ear to ear when he caught his very first perch so many years ago. He hid the fear of removing the fish from the hook and just beamed; another of life's right of passages behind him.
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.
It was as if we could talk about things that were normally difficult. He told me of dreams he had; his desire to see the world, to make movies one day, to get his own apartment later this year. And I offered none of the usual advice (okay, just a little). I did not judge his plans, just gladly sat and listened to him. I was so struck with how quickly time goes by, I just sat and watched him, enjoying the fleeting time we had.
Fishing and time have always been connected in a funny way for me. Time stops out on the boat. The real world isn't there. Just the breeze and the water and the fish. And I found myself wishing we could just stay there, in that moment.
How ironic that the most natural part of having children is also the hardest: the letting go. Our task is to do the very best job we can preparing them for the day we actually will dread. I'm thankful to have somehow figured out along the way to cherish the time I spend with my kids; it truly passes 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.
If you are a parent who is lucky enough to be fishing with your kids, I encourage you to stop and embrace every moment. Keep teaching them, but sometimes, just sit back and watch them. Although it sometimes feels that time stops out there in the middle of the lake, I'm sad to say, it doesn't.
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 remember how he smiled ear to ear when he caught his very first perch so many years ago. He hid the fear of removing the fish from the hook and just beamed; another of life's right of passages behind him.
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.
It was as if we could talk about things that were normally difficult. He told me of dreams he had; his desire to see the world, to make movies one day, to get his own apartment later this year. And I offered none of the usual advice (okay, just a little). I did not judge his plans, just gladly sat and listened to him. I was so struck with how quickly time goes by, I just sat and watched him, enjoying the fleeting time we had.
Fishing and time have always been connected in a funny way for me. Time stops out on the boat. The real world isn't there. Just the breeze and the water and the fish. And I found myself wishing we could just stay there, in that moment.
How ironic that the most natural part of having children is also the hardest: the letting go. Our task is to do the very best job we can preparing them for the day we actually will dread. I'm thankful to have somehow figured out along the way to cherish the time I spend with my kids; it truly passes 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.
If you are a parent who is lucky enough to be fishing with your kids, I encourage you to stop and embrace every moment. Keep teaching them, but sometimes, just sit back and watch them. Although it sometimes feels that time stops out there in the middle of the lake, I'm sad to say, it doesn't.
About the Author:
The author is quite serious about fishing. To see Derek's main fishing store, which carries Shimano reels, please go to Shimano Fishing.
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