A Fishing Trip(s)

[podum]

My dad and his brothers are the reason I fish and go to the woods. About 5 times a year, from the time I was 7 years old until I left for college, I was taken from South St. Louis City to somewhere in the Ozarks to “learn the ropes.” I learned how to fish first, shoot straight second, and harvest small game once I could do that. The outdoors became a part of my life because of these opportunities. I finished school, moved away, and continued to fish and pursue outdoor adventures . My dad and I fished together when we could, but not often enough.

Ten years ago (when I was 35 years old), I came up with the idea of having my dad, his brothers, my brother, cousins and friends, meet near Lebanon, MO to fish together for a long weekend on the Niangua River. The invited would come from KC, STL, Columbia, Fayetteville (AR) and other places. I found an outfitter with cabins and off we went for a spring fishing trip. By the end of the first trip, we knew this had to be an annual event. People that missed a trip were shamed at Christmas and other family gatherings. We’ve had between 8-12 attendees every year. This year was the tenth trip and I’ve taken the opportunity to reflect.

The fishing has been fair to good to great each year, but the fish aren’t the lasting memories. It’s the nightly camp fires, the stories told by the fire, the music, the fish fry on the last night, and the time taken to renew and continue the relationships that distance, business, and press of life get in the way of every day. We tell the same stories year after year and laugh like it was the first time we’ve heard it.

We all floated the river the first year. Not anymore. By year ten, we have 3 guys in their seventies (or more) and 3 guys that have been through cancer diagnoses and treatments. I feel blessed that we’ve been able to keep this going. This past year, the age group ranged from 35 to 82. We floated 10 years ago, but this year I set up chairs on a shoal and baited hooks with power bait so that 3 old men could cast for a trout. The old guys slayed ‘em and gave the young guys hell at the fire that night. I enjoyed it more than any other time on the trip (and thought about my dad baiting worms for me 35 years earlier).

We are all getting old fast. If you are thinking about doing something with the people you care about, stop thinking and do it. Ten years into doing, I can tell you that it is much more rewarding than thinking.

[GloryDaze]

Perfect! Thanks for your post