Papa Took Me Fishin'

[FIN-S-R]

My grandfather (PAPA) loved the outdoors. He was a fervant and knowledgable bass fisherman amongst other facets of outdoor expertise. He passed away a few years back and the void left will always be painfully obvious. At christmas this year while the family was congrgated at my widowed grandmother's residence my 7 yr old son took a picture of Papa down and began to ask questions. It was a photo of Papa holding 2 10+ peacocks he caught while realizing a dream to peacock bass fish in south america just a few years pryor to his passing. After speaking for some time to my son about the details of the colorful fish and where to catch em' and what to use and such, the story began to recieve reminiscent input from other family members. I began to realize that this one man, whom I hate to say I at times took for granted while on this earth, was the seed that grew in to a family of fervant outdoor sportsmen and frustrated wives. My cousin and I recounted our first great catches which looking back now can easily be identified as gifts from Papa. He alway took us if we would go. He ran a tire shop/ mechanic shop for around 50 yrs and even after an 11 or 12 hr day in 100+ degree Oklahoma heat he still found the energy and patience to haul 3 knot head boys out for a couple hours catching crappie and bass. He taught us the importance of presentation, matching the forage, fishing structure for big boys, how little baits can catch big fish, and most of all the importance of including the people close to you in the time you spend out there. He was a constant soucre of sound advice and strength through broken families, bad life descisions, and the dreaded teenage years. He picked up where the baby boomer parents dropped the ball, and always took us fishing. He wasnt by any stretch of the imagination a push-over spoil the kids rotten kind of guy. He made us work hard in the brutal oklahoma summers, and frigid winters. Above all he always made the point to get out, and get us outdoors to recharge the batteries at every possible oppurtunity. He created a precedent in consistency of life and fishing that i can only hope to some day come close to. I regret that I only was able to take him on good fishing trips a few occasions before he left us.

In my life since his passing, I have begun to realize the invaluable imporatance of not only spending time with your kids or grandkids or spouse or parents, but spending the kind of quality time with them that only few practices such as fishing can offer. I have posted more than few pics of my son proudly holding his catches for the camera on this website. He has already begun to catch that social bug and hunting or fishing trips with dad have begun to take a back seat to friends every so often. But when i do get him out there, we get to share something that transends age or interest. The few moments between the bite and figuring out how big it is cant be rivaled by much, and when the rod is in your sons hand its even that much more exciting. Im beginnin to understand why Papa never reeled in many, he had more fun watching us do it...well most of the time. When my son begins to chase the fairer sex, and decides dad doesnt know a thing, I hope I can still connect with him the way Papa did with us kids when he took us fishing.

Just Thought Id Share

-JP

[srv1990]

Nice post, JP.

[justfishin]

Nice post Fin-S-R.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Nice, thanks for sharing.

Wayne

[BASS fisherman]

Very touching post.  Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[Troutfisher]

I really enjoyed that, JP.

[Water Dog]

I'm a little damp eyed over that.  That was pretty much my dad.  We rented leaky wooden boats and he did the best he could while working 6 to 7 days a week.  I miss that man.

I have always regretted that I didn't take my boys fishing enough.  We did camping, hiking, baseball, basketball, soccer, but not enough fishing.  I intend to correct this with my two grandsons when they get big enough.  

Thanks

[Daniel My Brother]

Very nice tribute to your grandpa. The only time I hope my partner outfishes me is when my partner is one of my daughters. Good stuff.

Dan