memories of first fish

[Stuartwp]

I really enjoyed KRflyfisher's post of his son's first fish. Lets hear some more member first fish stories, or first fish of your kids stories, or both.

[Brian K. Shaffer]

Not my first fish, but my first and only Walleye - it was in front of my grandfather in 1980 or thereabouts... I was 7 or 8. His eyes lit up and he started coaching me how not to lose it once he saw how big it was (maybe 5-7lbs). This was on Lake Norfork.. in a tiny cove where we were having out family trip.

Needless to say - I lost the fish on the 2rd or fourth net attempt, and Grandpa was burning that I lost the fish. A fond memory this day - as I've learned later that you don't land all fish.. and sometimes that is just as special. We, my Dad and 2 brothers and I played marbles in the dirt after that fishing trip... a special thanks to my Dad for making it all better.

Another quick story - I was at the grandparents lake house when they brought in the big one. A 77lb flathead caught on a jugline. I will never forget puttin my head kinda close to get a picture to the size of the fishes head and the jaws jumped and I freaked! This fish was still trying to gasp air after 2 hours of being out of the water sittin on a picnic table. I will never forget how scared I was of catfish after that.

Let's hear some more - Brian