Pond Boss Magazine
https://www.pondboss.com/images/userfiles/image/20130301193901_6_150by50orangewhyshouldsubscribejpeg.jpg
Advertisment
Newest Members
Shotgun01, Dan H, Stipker, LunkerHunt23, Jeanjules
18,451 Registered Users
Forum Statistics
Forums36
Topics40,899
Posts557,051
Members18,451
Most Online3,612
Jan 10th, 2023
Top Posters
esshup 28,407
ewest 21,474
Cecil Baird1 20,043
Bill Cody 15,110
Who's Online Now
6 members (catscratch, Brandon Larson, Layne, Dave Davidson1, Blestfarmpond, Angler8689), 638 guests, and 166 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
#458151 10/25/16 08:00 AM
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,318
Likes: 6
RC51 Offline OP
Ambassador
Lunker
OP Offline
Ambassador
Lunker
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,318
Likes: 6

I sit here and read this article and had to share. Why do I have a passion for fishing? Below is why to some degree it’s hard to explain but this article got real close to it. It reminds me of Eagle River and Spring Lake right behind our house and the cabin in Rhinelander and Grandpa and Grandma’s farm pond soooo many great memories with fishing hard to imagine not doing it..…. I just had to share… Don’t skim this read it and soak it in folks this is what makes an outdoors man/women who they are.

He is the first fish I ever caught. He was, as my grandfather put it, just two eyes and a bunghole. So what? A 200-pound tarpon couldn’t make its captor one bit happier than that three-fingers-size fish made me nearly 60 years ago.
He appeared on my plate at dinner that evening, the flesh lovingly picked from his brittle bones by my mother. I was instantly transformed. I had become a four-year-old outdoorsman, putting meat on the family table.
We became fast friends, this fish and I. We often shared school-time Saturdays and summer afternoons at the little lake behind my house. He lived there. I was allowed to visit, provided I always told Mom where I was going. Back then mothers seldom feared for their offspring’s’ lives when they were out of sight. The lake and the fish were safe and wholesome company.
I was winding down my fourth-grade school year when the fish first landed me in trouble, the first of many times he has gotten me grounded or otherwise punished.
“Any last-week tests tomorrow?” my grandfather asked.
“Why?” I queried.
“I’m driving’ down to River Styx in the morning’,” he said. “Thought you might like to come along.”
“No sir! No tests!” I was quick to reply.
Next day we floated River Styx and caught the fish. He was bigger now, as was I. The small lake behind our house could no longer hold us.
Back home that night the phone call came. Why, asked teacher, was Bobby not in school for his final arithmetic test?
“Yes, why?’ wondered Mom and Dad.
Before you ask, reader, yes it was. Most certainly worth it. You can make up tests and get over spankings. Not so with grandfather/grandson fishing trips. I went to sleep smiling, dreaming of sinking corks, bobbers and frenzied tugs on my fishing line.
The fish has gotten me through some tough times, most notably periods of loss, everything from fickle childhood girlfriends to the permanent void left by departed loved ones. Somehow the fish helped me cope. Even today grief is somehow easier to handle with a fishing pole in one’s hands. The fish, and where he lives, never fails to put me nearer to God and comfort, even when I’m not fishing.
The fish has helped me forge great friendships. He was there when Troy and I were the best of grade-school buddies. He figured mightily in the good times Jimmy and I once had sitting on the bank of the Chattahoochee, drowning hapless crickets and swapping lies. He fried up golden brown over open campfires as Keith, Shane, and I planned great things, back when the world, and we ourselves, were young.
Today this fish is a welcome change now and then, a pleasant respite from chasing big largemouth bass and big stories on big water in big boats. My, oh my. How wonderful to briefly leave the camera and recorder behind in favor of a cage full of crickets, a reel of line, and a pocketful of #10 hooks.
When that happens it all comes back. My grandfather, my four-year-old grin, a missed exam, good friends, and wonderful memories!!!!!
And, of course, happiness. Sublime otherwise unattainable happiness. All because of one fish. The bluegill which started it all!!


The only difference between a rut and a Grave is the depth. So get up get out of that rut and get moving!! Time to work!!
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,596
Likes: 28
F
Offline
F
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,596
Likes: 28
Thanks RC!


Dear Alcohol, We had a deal where you would make me funnier, smarter, and a better dancer... I saw the video... We need to talk.
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,793
Likes: 71
Zep Offline
Hall of Fame 2014
Offline
Hall of Fame 2014
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,793
Likes: 71
good read


Fishing has never been about the fish....

Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 670
C
CMM Offline
Offline
C
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 670
Brought a tear to my eye. Thanks for sharing.


CMM

Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,080
Likes: 1
Offline
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,080
Likes: 1
Thanks RC. That really hits home for me. My "fish" was my best buddy growing up and I look forward to renewing that friendship in my old age.


[Linked Image]
Be Brave Enough to Suck at Something New!
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,318
Likes: 6
RC51 Offline OP
Ambassador
Lunker
OP Offline
Ambassador
Lunker
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,318
Likes: 6
Yes he was mine as well. It's it funny how these little creatures helped form the memories and friendships that they have. I was hunting this last weekend out in the woods enjoying the stillness. At about 8:15 I had a big boy step out on me unfortunately he was a bit to far away for my Muzzle Loader, but as the morning sun beamed off of him and he stuck his head up in the air I was in utter enjoyment at just getting the chance to see him in the scope for about 15 seconds as he proudly walked his way. Just like the amazing fish the deer is truly a awesome creation that I don't take lightly when I hunt for them.... We on this Earth have been truly blessed and some folks don't even know it..... frown



RC

Last edited by RC51; 10/26/16 03:14 PM.

The only difference between a rut and a Grave is the depth. So get up get out of that rut and get moving!! Time to work!!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,407
Likes: 788
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
Offline
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,407
Likes: 788
RC, you need to switch to a Savage Muzzleloader or a Remington but either needs to be converted to .45 caliber with a Pac-Nor barrel. That way a deer won't (usually) be too far away any more. You have up to (roughly) 400 yds of range. wink grin (195 grain .40 caliber bullet moving around 2900 fps is possible)


www.hoosierpondpros.com


http://www.pondboss.com/subscribe.asp?c=4
3/4 to 1 1/4 ac pond LMB, SMB, PS, BG, RES, CC, YP, Bardello BG, (RBT & Blue Tilapia - seasonal).
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,668
Likes: 57
T
Offline
T
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,668
Likes: 57
Boy oh boy, I could have used a savage on my N. Mexico Elk hunt. I chased a Hugh Bull for several days, I had him real close one foggy morning but never had a shot. Then had him with 6 cows at 300 yds. I had trained my hunting skills for two hundred yds with the Pro Hunter. The savage u speak of is a hard one to find, been looking for one at gun show and etc for years. And as far as fishing, the Sand Bass on Texhoma got me started at or around 6 yrs old, fishing with my mom and dad. Today, I will set at the ponds edge for hrs at a time (just setting there and taking it all in) and I have never been one to set anywhere for that long.


Do not judge me by the politicians in my City, State or Federal Government.


Tracy

Link Copied to Clipboard
Today's Birthdays
Bob Lusk, GaryK, GrizzFan, PhotographerDave
Recent Posts
Happy Birthday Bob Lusk!!
by Rainman - 03/28/24 02:53 AM
Relative weight charts in Excel ? Calculations?
by Mark Dyer - 03/27/24 10:18 PM
Reducing fish biomass
by esshup - 03/27/24 06:17 PM
New 2 acre pond stocking plan
by esshup - 03/27/24 06:05 PM
1 year after stocking question
by esshup - 03/27/24 06:02 PM
Questions and Feedback on SMB
by Donatello - 03/27/24 03:10 PM
Paper-shell crayfish and Japanese snails
by Bill Cody - 03/27/24 10:18 AM
Brooder Shiners and Fry, What to do??
by esshup - 03/27/24 08:47 AM
2024 North Texas Optimal BG food Group Buy
by Dave Davidson1 - 03/27/24 08:15 AM
Dewatering bags seeded to form berms?
by esshup - 03/26/24 10:00 PM
Freeze Danger? - Electric Diaphragm Pump
by esshup - 03/26/24 09:47 PM
Newly Uploaded Images
Eagles Over The Pond Yesterday
Eagles Over The Pond Yesterday
by Tbar, December 10
Deer at Theo's 2023
Deer at Theo's 2023
by Theo Gallus, November 13
Minnow identification
Minnow identification
by Mike Troyer, October 6
Sharing the Food
Sharing the Food
by FishinRod, September 9
Nice BGxRES
Nice BGxRES
by Theo Gallus, July 28
Snake Identification
Snake Identification
by Rangersedge, July 12

� 2014 POND BOSS INC. all rights reserved USA and Worldwide

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5