Fishing Story…but this one has heart
Posted: February 19th, 2023, 1:24 am
During a semi-recent charter with clients from Wisconsin, there was a moment. A moment where Rick and Kayla (grandfather & granddaughter) are catching fish together. Granddaughter being a new college student, and Rick, an experienced angler.
!
If I can set the scene: charter booked, I have a game plan set and we carry on, I’d say it was cold/windy, but apparently Wisconsin folks are used to it. Fishing has been good all week…well Mother Nature sees differently and turns our trip into a grind fest. We are throwing the tackle box at it.. little to nothing worth a picture. Crew remained positive and enjoyed the sights, and time spent on the water.
Fast forward almost four hours, and here we are… bottom of the ninth… no bases loaded, full count, two outs.. sun starting to set.. golden hour. Lock down on the last spot and we proceed to fish. Boom! Cast after cast we are getting tight, crew is having a ball with trout. As we keep fishing and smiles are had… reds show up.
Granddaughter is introduced to her first red, drag whines.. lands the fish. Says, “my arms are tired, and my knees are shaking” said, “these redfish fight harder than our fish”. I told her she was just cold, and too proud to admit it.
I laugh and we keep fishing… trip is running way over the scheduled time. But I pay no mind; knowing we are on something special. Trout and lady fish continue being caught, spirits are running high….
This is the moment where Rick says, “I have a trout and this red is chasing, what do I do?” Trout at this point is a large topwater, being horsed back to the boat.
I reply… “let’em eat it”
Drag screams… good bye 15-16” trout.. hello 36” red; instant upgrade.
Fishing continues for a minute or so after release and… Boom! Kayla is tight on another and she hasn’t gained her strength from the last fish.
Grandpa Is there coaching her through the fight and keeping her from slacking off. She beats her recent personal best/first red within a couple cast.
Not long after we end our trip and head back in.
Looking back, I hope this is a memory made that may be reflected on as time well spent for this family. A moment they may have together for a lifetime. As a kid who was introduced to fishing by by grandfathers; It brought up memories I have with mine. I still to this day tie the exact knot I was first taught twenty five years ago, by my “Papaw Carl”
…... what is a memory you have fishing with your grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, siblings, or a moment that you cherish fishing?
My “Papaw Carl on our last fishing trip we would have together; Dale Hollow Lake, TN.
Watching the Rainbow as the spring rain fell.
Tight lines.. and tighter knots
!
If I can set the scene: charter booked, I have a game plan set and we carry on, I’d say it was cold/windy, but apparently Wisconsin folks are used to it. Fishing has been good all week…well Mother Nature sees differently and turns our trip into a grind fest. We are throwing the tackle box at it.. little to nothing worth a picture. Crew remained positive and enjoyed the sights, and time spent on the water.
Fast forward almost four hours, and here we are… bottom of the ninth… no bases loaded, full count, two outs.. sun starting to set.. golden hour. Lock down on the last spot and we proceed to fish. Boom! Cast after cast we are getting tight, crew is having a ball with trout. As we keep fishing and smiles are had… reds show up.
Granddaughter is introduced to her first red, drag whines.. lands the fish. Says, “my arms are tired, and my knees are shaking” said, “these redfish fight harder than our fish”. I told her she was just cold, and too proud to admit it.
I laugh and we keep fishing… trip is running way over the scheduled time. But I pay no mind; knowing we are on something special. Trout and lady fish continue being caught, spirits are running high….
This is the moment where Rick says, “I have a trout and this red is chasing, what do I do?” Trout at this point is a large topwater, being horsed back to the boat.
I reply… “let’em eat it”
Drag screams… good bye 15-16” trout.. hello 36” red; instant upgrade.
Fishing continues for a minute or so after release and… Boom! Kayla is tight on another and she hasn’t gained her strength from the last fish.
Grandpa Is there coaching her through the fight and keeping her from slacking off. She beats her recent personal best/first red within a couple cast.
Not long after we end our trip and head back in.
Looking back, I hope this is a memory made that may be reflected on as time well spent for this family. A moment they may have together for a lifetime. As a kid who was introduced to fishing by by grandfathers; It brought up memories I have with mine. I still to this day tie the exact knot I was first taught twenty five years ago, by my “Papaw Carl”
…... what is a memory you have fishing with your grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, siblings, or a moment that you cherish fishing?
My “Papaw Carl on our last fishing trip we would have together; Dale Hollow Lake, TN.
Watching the Rainbow as the spring rain fell.
Tight lines.. and tighter knots
Great post and pics. Kudos on giving them extra time, I'm sure most guides would not. 
I'm glad you decided to not be that guy. And I'm sure your happy clients are too. 
)