Fishing Frenzy

Over the years I have written many an article about fishing to be sure. And, although this one is clearly my personal favorite, I'm not sure it's really about fishing at all.

It wasn't the sunny weather or the terrific fishing or even the idealistic location that made this such a wonderful trip though. It was my fishing partner. This you see was quite possibly my final fishing trip with my first born son.

I can remember his first catch at age five. A perch. He couldn't have smiled a bigger smile (despite obvious nervousness at what might come next).

And now he is a man. A 21 year old with far better things to do than to sit in a boat for hours with the old man. But if it was in fact our last trip, it was a great one. Its funny how different we all are with each other, once out of our usual environment. We were no longer father and son; just two guys enjoying the quiet beauty of nature, and a slower pace than the city living were used to.

It seemed we could more easily talk about things we had trouble with at home. His desire to find his own place, to make movies one day, to move to a warmer year round climate. He told me of his plans to travel the world. And I gladly sat and listened to it all; no judging, no advising (okay... not much advising). Knowing how brief this would all be, I just sat and gladly listened to him.

Fishing and time have always been connected in a funny way for me. Time stops out on the boat. The real world isn't there. Just the breeze and the water and the fish. And I found myself wishing we could just stay there, in that moment.

What a cruel joke of nature that our principal job with our kids is also the toughest one: to let them go. To teach them to be self sufficient and well adjusted, and then let them fly away. My wife and I are so happy that we learned early on to stop and appreciate the "moment" as they happen. Time really does pass too quickly.

And on the afternoon of our last day, when he caught a perch, we shared a knowing glance. A nod it seemed not only to the past, but to our changing roles and a new life chapter. And I'm happy to say, he still smiles ear to ear when he catches one.

This may not have been our last fishing trip together. But if it was I am terribly grateful we did it. It is a new chapter in his life--in our lives--and, although bittersweet, I am so glad we pulled off this last minute trip together.

If you are a parent who is lucky enough to be fishing with your kids, I encourage you to stop and embrace every moment. Keep teaching them, but sometimes, just sit back and watch them. Although it sometimes feels that time stops out there in the middle of the lake, I'm sad to say, it doesn't.