What fishing means to you...
For me it is many things, the outdoors, figuring out the pattern of the day, spending time with family and friends, the solitude of a peaceful morning or evenings glow upon calm water, the competition of making one more cull before the weigh in or just getting to a limit. Yes it is all of those things to me and more, oh so much more. Without trying to sound to "hokey" or sentimental, it is oh so much more to me. It was my Grandpa (my Dad's, Dad) that taught me how to fish on that small farm pond behind the blacksmith shop and on the Neosho River in Southeast, Kansas all those many years ago. It is one of my earliest and fondest memories of how that big, burly village Smitty would take time away from the fire and anvil to teach his young apprentice all of 3 or 4 years old the things that matter most in life. With his hand upon my shoulder he taught me patience, "Wait for the bite". With his hand upon my shoulder he taught me control "Don't horse it, play it to the finish". With his hand upon my shouder he taught me conservation, "That ones to small, let it grow, that ones to big, leave it for seed, that ones just right for the pan, lets eat". With his hand upon my shoulder he taught me to be humble, "You can't catch them all, some do get away". With his hands upon my shoulder and a grin upon his face he taught me so many things that I will never be able to repay. But there are times even now oh so many years from then, that while I am upon the water I feel his hand upon my shoulder and I just can't help but grin.
