GONE FISHING
Gone Fishing
MICHAEL’S SON, ALEX, REFLECTS ON BUILDING A LIFE-LONG RELATIONSHIP
There are anglers all over the world and nearly every one of us share a common bond; we all have that special person who taught us how. In my own life, it was my father who first placed a fishing rod in my hands. He showed me how to bait the hook, how to cast the line and how to bring in the fish. The value of fishing in our relationship has been and continues to be immeasurable. And I know it will always be there for the two of us.
In a society where the greatness of a father has become narrowly based on how much money he makes and how many of the newest products he can give his children, I have been gifted by a father who is involved. Fishing has provided us an activity to be shared together and an opportunity for our relationship to flourish. My Dad and I have been fishing together ever since I was six years old. I will note, my father did not have the greatest expertise as a fisherman. He was a novice at the sport when he took me out that very first time. Since that day, we have both been learning more and more about fishing. Similar to the fish we catch, we have become hooked. We enjoy the adrenaline of the catch, the inner peace that comes with being on a quiet stream during a beautiful morning and most importantly, just being together.
The bonding experience between two people while fishing is quite extraordinary. Like any other sport, being teammates with someone for an extended period of time brings trust and comfort. If it were not for fishing, my father and I would have a much more difficult time resolving conflicts. Fishing allows us the opportunity to talk about things that are on our minds. While fishing we both can let our guard down. As a result of the relaxed nature of fishing, the two of us are more comfortable with one another and so much more at ease.
The time in my life when the tension between us was at its highest was during my pre-adolescence.
During this time, I felt tremendous annoyance with my father. I might even say, I experienced quite a bit of resentment towards him. I did not want to be controlled by anyone. It was a constant power struggle between us, similar to the power struggle between the fisherman and the fish. Neither of us wanted to give up ground and fishing was apparently the only cure for this.
When we were out on the water, nothing else mattered. The problems we faced in our daily lives and the dissidence we had with each other seemed irrelevant. Our ancient ancestors used fishing as a way to cope with the pains of hunger; we use it as a way to cope with the pains of life. Although I live a life far different from those ancient fishermen, there is one thing that connects us all – we all have a story to tell. O.K., some of our stories may contain some faint level of exaggeration in our telling but they all have a special place in our memory.
My fondest memory of fishing took place when I was nine years old. My father and I had been fishing off a small boat launch on the beautiful Chautauqua Lake, on the grounds of the equally beautiful Chautauqua Institution. It was a glorious, sunny July day and I remember it like it was yesterday. We had been catching small pan fish such as Blue Gill and Sunfish most of the afternoon. These were once exciting fish for me, but I was getting older and yearned for a more challenging catch. My dad said it was time to pack it in as we were going for dinner. And so, I took my last cast of the day, not truly expecting anything to happen when it happened. I felt a heavy tug at the end of my line. I yanked my rod in an attempt to set the hook in the mouth of this fish that dared take my worm. As soon as I did this, I knew I was in for a dogfight. The fish began to pull out my line with such intensity it looked as if my reel might break. For every run made by the fish, I had a counter.
After a long, tug of war with this determined bass, I had emerged victorious. My arms ached as I stood with a huge grin stretching across my face, holding my prize in my hands. And what a prize it was; a 5 pound Large-mouth Bass, the largest I ever landed. I noticed people watching as my father frantically and happily ran over to help me unhook this wonderful fish. I could tell by his facial expression how proud of me he was and that was all I wanted.
For thousands of years, in hundreds of cultures, fishing has played a vital role in the lives of countless people. This is especially true in my life. This activity has played a critical role in the development of my relationship with my father. Through our triumphs on the water, trips to remote fishing locations and embracing the magnificent scenery, we have become even closer. Fishing has provided me the opportunity to become closer to the man who has raised me and gain greater insight into myself.
- Alexander Caballero
Loyola-Maryland
