Prior to losing my Dad to cancer, he was my fishing buddy… we spent many hours on the water together – whether poking around in Brook Trout streams in southern Ontario; or paddling canoes in Algonquin Park; or trolling in boats looking for some tasty Lake Trout… he was my “go to” guy on a fishing trip.
One year, I noticed my son Jamie had taken a much stronger interest in fishing (how could he not with a Dad like me, lol), and he wanted to join the annual fishing trip with me and his Grampa. Well, that was magic for me – I was ecstatic – as I wanted to expose my son to the kind of camaraderie my Dad and I shared… hoping ours might be the same one day.
That trip even inspired my son to write a poem about his favourite fishing companion… his Grampa. I was so proud, I had the poem printed and framed with a couple of pictures of some glacial relic Lakers from a small inland lake.
I miss my Dad a lot, and my son moved away to British Columbia more than 20 years ago so, as a Guide, I’ve been getting a lot of pleasure from hosting family groups… husbands & wives; fathers & mothers with sons & daughters; brothers; sisters; uncles & nephews; close friends who are like family to one-another… whatever.
There is a closeness that is palpable and evident when you have groups like that in the boat… and it is a powerful reminder that there is a strong human connection when people fish and enjoy the outdoors together. The smiles say it all… there’s no denying it.
So, if you haven’t already, step into trying something new that gets you outdoors, or with that special fishing companion… your soul will thank you for it… and the memories will bring smiles to your face and warmth to your heart for years to come!!
I hope to see or hear about you making those memories during your adventures, ‘On the Water’!
