"My Best Day Fishing-A Remembrance On Father's Day".

[BigFish]

My Father was'nt a fisherman in the way that I call myself a fisherman, or the way someone else would call me a fisherman. I call myself a fisherman not by occupation, but by pre-occupation. Fishing is my passion. It is what I devote much of my free time to doing and I pour myself into it always.
My Father had his own passions, the first of which was his family, and it was this passion that my Father devoted himself to. My Father worked his full-time job, overnight, driving a delivery truck for H.P. Hood. He also worked several other seasonal jobs through out the year, and some how he managed to find time to sleep.
I asked him once, when I was a little boy, why he worked so much, and he said simply, "That he wanted his kids to have all the things that he did'nt have and to do that he had to work quite a bit". So my Father was away from us quite a bit working, but it always seemed like he was there when we needed him. All his hard work left little time for pleasures such as fishing.
He had a boat before I was born and it was then that he fished. His old fishing rods hung in our basement for years gathering dust until one day when I was about 10 or 11 years old, I asked him about the fishing rods as I had never known him to fish. So he told me about the old rods, and the boat he had, and how he used to go fishing all the time with a buddy of his named Al Houston. My Father told me they fished around South Boston near Castle Island and the Sugar Bowl, and how he used to fish from the pier at Castle Island as a boy. Southie was where he grew up. He said that he had not been fishing in many years.
It was then that I asked him if he would take me fishing someday, and he said he would when he could find the time. I remember nagging him unmercifully for a long time until one day he told me that we would go fishing this coming Saturday. I don't think I slept much after that, I was just so excited to be going fishing with my Dad.
Early that Saturday morning, we blew the dust off those old rods, the rods still equipped with old Penn Squidder reels and still wearing the old nylon fishing line from so many years ago. My Dad loaded me and my little brother and those old rods into the family station wagon and we were off.
Our first stop was Neponset Bait and Tackle as it was on the way to Southie and that was where we were going fishing. There we picked up some new hooks, sinkers and a box of seaworms, who did'nt look as happy to be going fishing as I was, and off to the pier at Castle Island we went to drown some seaworms.
My Dad rigged those old rods and baited the hooks for my brother and I. We fished the pier for a little while, a few other people were fishing close by and having about the same luck as us....Bad. All the while my Dad was telling us stories about growing up in Southie and all the great fun he had fishing there.
We then walked over to the Sugar Bowl and fished for a while, but fish just were not to be on that cool Fall day as a slow drizzle satrted. We walked back to the car, stopping at the old Sullivans take-out stand for something to eat. I did'nt care that we had'nt caught any fish, I was just happy to be fishing with my Dad.
Years later, after catching my first keeper bass, at age 34, (I had just started fishing for stripers), I proudly showed it to my Dad. I think that was the 11 year old boy in me saying "look Dad, look what we caught", just as if we had caught it together.
My Dad has been gone just over two years this past May and that fishless day all those years ago has come to mean so much more to me with each passing year. I think of it often, just as I think of my Dad often.
The last time that I saw my Dad before he passed away, I was loading up my fishing gear for an early season striper trip. There he was, standing in the door just shaking his head, laughing at me. Laughing because he knew I was going off to do something that I really had a passion for. I like to think that he knew that because I believe that he had everything to do with it. All because of that one fishless day. Thanks Dad.

Happy Father's Day to all of you, and make sure you take the time to take your kids out fishing while you can, make memories and enjoy the time you have together while you have the time.

"BigFish"

[pops02]

Big Fish, good read. My dad wasnt a big fisherman either, but he was with me the day i caught my first striper. I think he was more proud of me than i was. at the time, the limit was 36 " and it was only a 35" fish, so back she went. Anyway, now you can see where my screen name comes from, in memory of my father.
Thanks pops.

[BigFish]

What a nice story!!! It brought tears to my eyes You are the sweetest guy I know.

Your Dad would be very proud!!!

Happy Father's Day!!

[BigFish]

Sorry, I'm signed on as you again!!! The above note is from me FishChick (aka Angie)

[Clammer]

Nice post//enjoy the good memories///

too often thats all we have///

[Raven]

Clam digger, Clam digger this is the Stacey Ann calling Clam digger!
Said Mr macey as we patiently hoped for a reply....
gee...he said:" he should be out here in the not so nice weather...." (not as crowded)
and so we tried several channels to no avail....
i guess he's not out here then we decided and off we went....
the day shaped up nicely with little or no help from the birds that seemed on strike.... what are these french seagulls i wondered.

We found the rips and saw trash cans of spooked bass that would make your heart skip a beat...but we had short strikes
and mostly blues action. It was a fine day of fishin tho ..... still.

better luck next time as they say.

[Clammer]

RAVEN

M/M must have been on the wrong channel ,for I was out & had a great day/plenty of bass & no Blues====except I took a ride to see our own Mr Bloo== he to was catching bluefish,better art thou ,than me====I have the true to tradition story of the one that got away////
Til tonight the fish are safe//////////

Saltheart . that rod is awesome for what it was made for//////////

[BEETLE]

BigFish - nice story - your father would be very proud of you. He must have set a very good example.

Here's to all the Fathers out there
Happy Fathers day.

[NEXT2NUN]

Bigfish good story,I'm takin my fathers rod with me tomorrow.

[BigFish]

Aaaaahhhh.... Beetle! Somehow I knew you would appreciate this story. Here is to your Dad, his memory, and to just how lucky some of us are. And in case anyone was wondering, I do still have those rods and reels.

[Van]

Very nice BF !!!

Here's mine...
My dad got me addicted to fishing real young. While he was not very good at it, it did not matter, we went everywhere. Smelt fishing was one of his passions and we went together many times. It seemed something would always happen when we went fishing, but we both survived. He bought that 15 foot MFG I recently sold (sorry dad), when I was about 13. He took me out to horseshoe shoals from Hyannis many times in any weather. No radio, no signals no fire extinguisher, maybe 1 or 2 lifejackets. We caught blues till my arms hurt. Fishied in boston harbor too and got plenty of flounder and mackeral.
I cetainly do have lots of good memories. My dad has been gone since 1987. He would have loved the striped bass fishing we have today (and right out here in the harbor). He never met his grandson (born one year after his passing and named James like him), and I know he would have loved fishing with him. But such is life.

Cherish what you have. Love ya Dad...
Happy fathers day to all our friends out there....Thanks BF !!!

[DaveS]

Nice.

[TheSpecialist]

Nice stories Larry, and Van.

My father is the same way, he likes to and sit somewhere to dunk a chunk. He is not hardcore, but likes it nevertheless. I just got off the phone with him, telling him of the few fish I caught while on vacation, and he was excited. He was also very excited to hear about Dave S, and Mike's 50+ lb fish. Dad was fortunate enought to land a 53 from Long Island in Boston harbor on his birthday many years back. I told him I was gonna drag him out to Race Point with me at least once this year.

[Canalratt1]

Nice story, I go fishing with my dad often. Yesterday we hit a pond on the Cape and got over 40 largies and smallies. We used to fish the Ditch alot too but now he likes to freshwater fish mostly. Last weekend he was trying to get in the boat and fell in soaking himself we couldn't stop laughing!

[Goose]

wonderful

[nightfighter]

Great thread.

Memories flowing back, long since thought of...

Boat trips to Boston and back, sitting on port side of a 23' Buehler Turbocraft (jet boat) in seas that seemed mountainous. We'd lose sight of other boats around us as we pushed through the troughs. Wonder how big those seas were anyway? The snowbanks always seemed bigger too...

Codfishing with handlines and rods around Egg Rock and the Outter Pigs. Usually a once every two year thing for my Dad. Wasn't his passion, but he took us as he wanted us to have done everything he could get us to experience. Funny how things come full circle... Doing things with/for your kids makes you fall in love with your parents all over again. (You did this for me?!?!?)

Never heard any talk about stripers as a kid, just cod, flounder, and blues...which we OD'd on as teens as we became such proficient "hunters" LOL

Yep, thanks Dad. I'll be by to see you soon. (He had us spread his ashes out at Halfway Rock!)

[FishermanTim]

Although this praise is being given postumously, I owe all my fishing experience to my dad. He was almost exclusively a freshwater man, but when He took me fishing, we had fun.
My most memerable moments of fishing with dad include a rather LARGE smallmouth down in Brewster (Dad thought he had hooked the anchor line), a 4-5 lb largemouth that launched itself into out boat RIGHT at my feet, and that one trip up to Maine in October about 5 years ago. We didn't catch any trout or salmon (what we wanted) but managed to catch a decent sized largemouth and a small white bass. These two fish became the subjects (along with dad holding them) of a "GOOD day, BAD day" photo presentation. I only wish my brothers and sisters enjoyed fishing (and talking) with dad as much as I did.
I acknowledge his memory whenever I wet a line.

[Pete]

My father was never a big fisherman in my lifetime, we did fish togeather some when my brother and I were in the 10 to 15 year old range. Dad worked 6.5 days a week, self employed, so time off was limited. However, we did have a boat on the North River and spent many Sunday afternoons having family picnics at "the spit". Dad still doesn't fish often, plays golf. At 86 he grumbles if he doesn't get out 3 times a week. I should mention both Mom and Dad are going strong,for 86, and still self sufficient.
My fishing memories are with my grandfather, he loved to fish. Haddoc was king. I think our best day ever was when I was about 16 or 17. He called right after I got home from school, complaining we hadn't be fishing lately and when are we going to go. I said how about now. It wasn't the best weather, drizzly and foggy, but we went. Got the boat at Mary's and headed downriver. It was much to foggy to venture "outside" so we picked a spot along the bank accross from the spit. It was a full tide with plenty of water. We anchored, as the boat was straightening out the first fish hit my line dangling about 2 feet in the water. There was a huge school of pollac in the mouth and they were hungry. We pulled in fish till we just couldn't any more. Feed the whole neighborhood that day. Back then no one had ever heard of catch and release, but most fish that went home were used. That was over 40 years ago, but I can still see that first fish hitting. There were many other trips with great memories, but for some reason this one sticks in my memory. Gramp has been gone since '65 we all miss him and remember him fondly. I'l bet if you ask my brother or my cousins, they all could relate a similar story. Thanks Gramp

[Jenn]

My father used to bring me fishing when I was little...memories (and a passion) that will last me a lifetime! This fathers day was a little different this year...my father had to have a "tune up" today on his heart.....but the good news is I got the call and all is well! Past week has been filled with emotions....ones I havent had to really think about till now!

TELL THEM YOU LOVE THEM!!!!

[BigFish]

I want to thank you all for your kind words but mostly for sharing your fantastic stories of fishing with your Dad's and Grand-Dad's. I hope you enjoyed mine as much as I truely enjoyed yours. Keepem' coming.

Jenn, glad to hear your Dad is doing well. All the best and a long future ahead for all of you. Enjoy every minute of every day with your Dad, life is shorter than we all think sometimes.

[chris L]

All I can say is WOW !
This was my first Fathers day with out him and I miss him dearly ! although my Dad never understood me ......... fishing so hard he never tried to stop me from doing what I loved so much . My Dad had his passion ( building cars ) that he was real good at and I had mine . When I was young he bought a boat ( 21 ft ) basically for me and my brothers to ski and fish with as we grew up . the boat is long gone but the memories are as fresh as this morning .

Dad Happy Fathers day !

[schoolie monster]

My dad was up this past week and we had another great trip.

My dad was a big fisherman and had me fishing as soon as I could hold a rod. I have very vivid memories of catching sunfish and perch off the docks at Cuka lake in NY (one of the finger lakes, not sure of spelling)... my parents say I was 3 on that trip.

I don't want to paint the rosiest picture... I remember getting yelled at alot and particularly remember a "snag" at Weslemkoon Lake, Ontario... "how can you get snagged on a @#$%'n *&%$... there's nothing here..." In those days we used live frogs... the snag turned out to be a huge snapping turtle... I don't remember an apology.

When I was a teen we did really well in local BASS tourny's and were always a threat in the local buddy tournaments. We were talking about all the b#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&s from those days this past weekend. We did yearly trips to Canada and into the PA mountains for trout... those trips were with my two cousins and my uncle.

We have a great relationship now. This was the third year that he's come up to fish and we shared a week in Nantucket last fall. He's amazed with saltwater fishing compared to fresh.

He's more into golf now and admitted he almost never fishes unless its with me. I'm the one that has to drag him out of bed to fish at 4am and now its me yellin' at him for losin' fish because of dull hooks and getting snagged or getting a big bird's nest in the middle of a blitz. I don't mind returning the favor.

He's probably coming back up in the fall and we are hoping to do a long weekend in florida... possibly late fall, early winter.

I feel pretty fortunate that we are both in a position to do things like this and he's still pretty young and healthy at 57. My great grandfather on my dad's side was still lucid at 96 when he passed away a few years ago... my grandfather is 80 and is still a workhorse. Golf's 18 holes and just built a new deck or something last summer and was bi$%in' cause he threw out his back and was on the shelf for a few weeks.

I hope my dad and I share those genes cause that gives us alot of years to enjoy together.

Very nice posts from everyone.

[Saltheart]

Great stories! I love to hear this stuff. Thanks for the memories.

My Father was no fisherman either. He got sick on boats and like most have said , worked too much to have a hobby fishing like we do now. In fact , if the truth were known , I think he really hated to go fishing. He just did it caused I liked it.

He did find time to periodically take me to Scott's Pond on the Lincoln/Central falls line. It started when I was about 5 years old. He had a very short rod with a bait casting reel. We would fish worms under a bobber and caught plenty of Sunny's which he called "Roaches" with a wrinkled nose. I remember how impressed I was one day when we caught a pickeral. It was the first fish I ever got that wasn't a Roach!

He couldn't cast the baitcaster. In fact it was a firm rule that I was never to even try since it would result in a backlash and that meant he had to pick it out and I would be in trouble. Instead , he would pull out a length of line onto the ground and then he would , not so athletically , toss it out with the bobber and worm on the hook using both hands. Also , it was like a MASH hopspital when we went fishing. From the hooks or the fish spines or whatever , my poor Father always ended up bleeding when we went fishing. My father was an extremely intelligent man but I guess we were at the bottom of the toatem poll as fisherman went. It didn't matter at all. I thought it was great to go fishing with him!



Clammer , glad you like the pole. I'll be taking some time off the next few weeks and hope we can get together one time to try for some fish off your boat!