The Future of Fishing

If you give a person a fish, they'll fish for a day. But if you train a person to fish, they'll fish for a lifetime. -Dan Quayle


I had the great pleasure of fishing with 3 of my nephews and one niece while in Kansas. It is a vital part of the future of fishing to take young people out and fish. Not only does this introduce new friends to our sport, but also gives families and friends the opportunity to do something beyond eating (another great sport) and the rather disconnected sport of watching television. My sister's kids are very special to me, and I miss them terribly, living so far away. I am grateful they have the opportunity to fish with their grandpa (my dad), as I can attest he is one of the greatest trainers of future fisherman to ever tread the shore. He and I with four very energetic kids, and it was easy to see who the veteran father between us. His patience, encouragement, and understanding of the value of snack time was a great lesson to me. I look forward to chasing my daughter Magnolia up and down the banks when she is old enough to net a frog.

Malachi: The oldest of the group and the only one I had a chance to spend a significant amount of time with when he was just a baby. He is an incredibly nurturing soul and is very patient with his siblings. An exploratory fisherman, he is destined to grow into the type of fisherman who may not always catch the most fish, but will find a way to catch them when no one else can manage.



Gabriel: Not pictured here, as he was not present for the trip. A beautiful and tall boy who's mind is difficult to connect to, but he is always willing to share some of his heart. While most of the world will spend their time feeling sorry for him, he will spend most of his time keeping his family bonded and showing those nearest him new ways to love.

Jariah: The seeking mind of the group, I look for this one to be my fly tying buddy. Never is he outside without seeking creepy crawlies or various other living things, which will prove very handy when we go to match the hatch. Watch yourself, this one can be ornery.




Genesis: Yes, she is as sweet as she looks, but don't be mistaken, with all these brothers she doesn't back down from nobody or nothing. It was her shoes that got the muddiest, and her smile that got her forgiven. A little young to give two hoots about the actual fishing, she had a great time keeping everyone in line.


Hezekiah: It has been said this little one gets his charm from yours truly, but that is flagrant flattery and I know it. Quiet and well behaved, we not once had to entertain him. He marches to the beat of his own drum, and I can't wait to hear what it sounds like as he grows. Grandpa had him casting for the first time on this outing.






My father, when I was young, would take me fishing and I remember a fabulous time of fishing, but if you were to ask him he would tell you we didn't really fish together until I was almost a teenager. So what did we do if we didn't fish? I think I got stuck in shin deep mud multiple times, I almost always ended up at least a little wet, I caught a few frogs, I killed bait both mistakenly and torturously, and I snacked. My father tried to fish with what bait was left. I have to give him credit. He never once stopped me from skipping rocks though it most likely spooked a few potential prizes, he didn't scold me for ruining clothes though it cost him to replace them, and he never told me to sit still or we wouldn't catch any fish. So here we are, many years later. I live a long distance from home, but when we see each other we go fishing. I no longer get too stuck in mud, or get as wet, or kill as much bait, and I've traded in frogs for fish, but we still have a great time. Most importantly we still go, and if God wills it and we end up living within a boat drive from each other someday, we will go a great deal more.