Happy Father's Day Weekend!

Reposting this from a while back, because it still rings true for all those fathers out there who take at least a little time to get to know their sons better and give them a lifetime activity.  Thanks again, Dad.  You've created a monster!


June 20, 2009

This is Father's Day Weekend and I really wanted to just thank my Dad for introducing me to fishing. The other night, I was floating the river with some law school buddies and I told them, "You know, the only thing that makes me feel like a normal person is fishing." It's true. And without Big Bill (as I affectionately refer to him), I would be miserable.

While my Dad isn't really into fly fishing, he loves to fish as much as anyone, and smallmouth bass are his favorite quarry. We've done some troutin' too. I'll never forget my first day of trout fishing in PA. I was 6 years old and Dad said he was taking me up to fishing camp for the first day. My mom made me wear a snowsuit and a PFD, even though we were fishing from the bank with worms. I guess a big brown could have pulled me in, in which case the life preserver would have kept me from drowning in the snowsuit. I caught a 13-inch stocker rainbow and a small brown, which made their way into our freezer, never to be eaten. I think Mom threw them out when I was 10.

Fishing camp was where I was introduced to fly fishing by my Dad's buddies. I learned how to play setback, tie a blood knot, and drink before 8am. Dad also started taking me to our lake in Canada when I was a little older. I fell in love with bass fishing and wanted to be on the Bassmasters. (Mark Betourney???) I always loved the scientific aspect of the sport and I think it naturally led me to fly fishing.

I know that without my Dad taking me to Canada or to trout camp, I wouldn't be catching the trout I do now. There's nothing like sitting on the "Gin & Tonic" deck with Big Bill, watching the sunset, after a day on the lake whacking smallies. Without my Dad and his friends I don't know where I'd be. I certainly wouldn't be much of a fisherman and probably not much of a man either. I love you Dad and miss you. Thanks for everything and get your ass out here so we can get you into some trout. Happy Father's Day!

Love,
Billy

P.S. If you any of you guys or girls out there have a great fishing story about your Dad, please post them in the comments. I know they'd appreciate it!