I’m not quite sure if my mother actually likes to fish. I think she does, but I’m just not positive. In reality, she had no choice in a family of all boys – even the dog was male. Every memorable vacation we ever had was driven by the desire for my Grandpa, Dad, brother, and I to go fishing. Mom, of course, wanted to spend time with all, “her guys” and so she and Grandma would join us.
Back when I was young she refused to bait a hook (yep we bait fished back in the day), but she would spend countless hours in the boat fishing with the family. If the weather was nasty she might stay at the cabin, I’m sure enjoying the solitude but likely contemplating how dirty guys can get while fishing. Most of the time, however, she would come fishing.
Naturally, as she wasn’t passionate about it, she caught more and bigger fish. Case in point – on our “greatest of all” fishing adventures we traveled to Alaska for a month in a 23-foot pull behind trailer. If a month in a tin can on a several-thousand-mile drive with your family doesn’t test your sanity… I digress. It had always been my Dad’s dream to fish Alaska so he splurged for a guided trip on the Kenai River. Several hours into the float Mom hooked and landed a 35lb King Salmon, all by her lonesome. Naturally, she was excited but anxious as it was Dad’s dream to fish Alaska, not hers. The fishing day was rapidly drawing to a close and Mom’s concern was evident. Fortune smiled as Dad landed a King nearly at the boat ramp. Was she excited or relieved? I’m not certain but to date, it is the only fish I’ve ever seen her hold.
Today she still doesn’t release her own fish yet she continues to go fishing. As I’m a fishing outfitter she still endures the annual Montana fly fishing trip with Dad and the continued trips to the cabin for more fishing. I suppose if you do anything long enough you can at least appreciate it, if not learn to like it. While I’m still not convinced she likes to fish, I do know that she appreciates all the things fishing provides; beautiful surroundings, peace, quiet, reading a good book and the chance to be with her guys.
Thanks, Mom, see you this summer for more fishing.
Happy Mother’s Day.
