Bonefish on the Brain Bonefish and all that relates (maybe a bit about tarpon too).

It was an off-hand remark… “fishing pole” I said.
My dad, mild-mannered and rarely stern, went still. He turned and looked at me and in an even voice said “Rod, son. It is a rod.”

I’ve called it a “rod” since then and have made a point of sharing his wisdom.

Happy Father’s Day to the man who first put a fishing rod in my hand, told me where to cast, explained why and told me to keep the tip up and to keep tension on the fish. All good life lessons.

Dad’s First Sabalito

My dad’s best Bahamas fish

The Babine

Heading out in Abaco

Dad and Fred and a nice Lower Sac trout

Here’s to you dad.

Dad and Sam on the flats of Grand Bahama

Dad on the Metolius

Swing Time

Our first flat in Kauai

Celebrating getting there with a beer.

I don’t remember the context of the conversation, but I know I said “fishing pole.”

My dad paused and turned to look at me.

“Rod, son. It is called a rod.”

He said it with such seriousness, such utter sincerity. He was not joking around.

That was maybe the most serious I have ever heard my dad.

#lifelessons.

Happy Father’s Day!

Dad on the Metolius

It is Father’s Day today, so I need to say “Happy Father’s Day” to my dad.

Dad and Sam on the flats of Grand Bahama

My mom used to say parents are a child’s first teacher. That is true. It is also true, in most cases, to say that a Dad is a child’s first fishing guide.

Dad on the Metolius

My dad is the guy who got me interested in fishing. He did it in such a way that I craved the experience and never felt pushed into it. I don’t know how he did that, but he did. It didn’t work on my brother, but for me, it stuck.

My dad mostly took me steelheading and shad fishing as a kid, but I started out with a worm on a hook and some willing pan fish in a little creek he knew as a boy. I have fond memories of orange soda (for luck) and those little fish.

There was a lot of “Keep the rod tip up” and “Reel in the slack!” in those days and there was some early success, which seems to matter a lot.

Later, my dad got me into fly fishing by getting me a day with a guide, thinking it was something I might enjoy. That act changed my life, giving me a new passion which I’ve chased in mountain streams and ocean flats. I am a fisherman, not just a man who fishes. A passion is a fantastic gift to give a child and my dad gave me that passion, sprinkled with lots of opportunities to be on the water and to spend time together.

Here’s to you dad.

I strive to be that dad. I hope you both had that dad yourselves, or work to be that dad in your own life.

My dad pulled out the cast of his lifetime to get this pretty fantastic mutton snapper.

Happy Father’s Day!