Fishing for the soul.

[denjac]

Fishing is my passion. I am not species specific, I have dipped smelt in lake Superior to catching big ole redfish in the Gulf of Mexico, ( yes out of my bass boat)lol. Whether or not I catch a bunch or just a few makes no differance. Boating, wading, sitting on the banks , its all good. I used to tournament fish and did in 1989 win the Bass federation state championship on Table Rock. But it got to be no fun anymore so I gave it up. I have two sons that share my passion, and nothing feels better to a Father than watching a son wade a creek in along side of you outfishing ole Dad. What a wonderful sport we have. Guess what I am trying to say is,that we are all very lucky to be able to enjoy this sport, protect it and cherise it. We all take it for granted that we can go out whenever we like, and we can! God Bless America! And God Bless fishing!

[Kansas Fly Fisher]

Amen God Bless American and our troups that help protect us.

[chutejumper]

Hits very close to home! Taught my son to fly fish several years ago and we always wade, Many times I told him we should be on the water very early before the sun comes up! He always ask why, and I was always short on explanation for a reason. Than late in the fall a couple of years ago we were down at the the dam at around 5:30 am, and waided out just above the chute a KOA. The air was very cool, clear and crisp, almost dead silence except for the sound of the water running, the riffles, calling and the occasional trout breaking the water. The fog setteled in slowly over the water, and moved like some huge being awakening from a deep sleep, as we cast the water flow speed was perfect! and we started hitting trout on every cast, nothing huge but some very nice fish with good color and great fight. I watched my son land 11 in a row on 11 casts, as the fog settled slowly down to the surface, you could see the colors on the horizon, and in the trees as the sun begain to offer light, I looked at my son with this huge smile on his face as he enjoyed the colors of the coming day, than he looked at me and said, "now I understand" I feel very privilaged to have shared that moment with him. Hope this sport brings the same to you as well.

[Danoinark]

Excellent posts. My grandkids are starting to become interested. We have a little creek that we go and dunk worms and it keeps them busy catching gills. I spend my time baiting hooks, teaching how to bait hooks, and all of the other "first steps" of how to fish. The reward is watching their eyes say thank you to Pop for taking them and being there with them. Catching fish is secondary.

Dano

[Leonard]

My 2 boys loves to hit the water with me... the oldest (4yrs) is just now getting into the rock throwing.. so I didnt take him much.. the youngest is 2yrs.. he loves going down with ol'dad.. so dad can hook the fish and he gets to pull the line in.. dad unhooks the fish and he gets to release it.. theres nothing better then hearing "bye bye Nemo" from a 2 yrs.. then he jumps up and down saying "more Nemos more Nemos"...

WHAT A BLAST!!!