“Many men go fishing all their lives without knowing it’s not the fish they’re after.” – Henry David Thoreau
Alan NeSmith
Plug in transom? Check.
Bait? Check.
Tackle and rods? Check.
Snacks? Check.
Cooler? Check.
Sunscreen? Check.
Lifejackets? Check.
William and Fenn? Check.
Each day we are faced with a list of tasks and items to check off. Many are mental notes, but if you are anything like me, you make a written list, too. Check lists are vital for success in life and fishing.
Even before the boys were born, I dreamed of taking them fishing. However, it wasn’t until the first ride home from the hospital that I was able to set a timeline for our first adventure on the water. And it was about the time they laid down their pacifiers for good when I realized we had been blessed with sons who love being on the water, just like me.
Last Friday afternoon, we pushed our johnboat off the bluff of Paradise Park on the Penholoway Creek. Within minutes we passed the Sturgeon Hole on the left and merged into our favorite river, the Altamaha.
With everything we needed for two nights on the riverbank and our boat skipping along on plane, I let out a howl that was greeted by two smiles, “Boys, we’ve made it on the water again!”
You see, every Father’s Day our boys and their cousins go catfishing with their dads. The majority of the time we are able to spend the night in our cabin’s AC. But this year, a low river level moved us down the river and camping on a sandbar to get near the deep holes holding catfish.
Our cooler was stocked with Body Armor drinks, fried chicken, hot dogs and Little Debbie treats. Nothing cures a souring attitude when the fish decide to stop biting like Little Debbie. In fact, I know the amount of time my boys are content on the water depends on how many honey buns and oatmeal pies are on board.
Friday night, we were pushed off the water by rain. Drying off the best we could, we hunkered down in the early a.m. to find rest. After we turned on and adjusted the battery-operated fans, the rain intensified, followed by thunder and lightning.
With each sss-crack-boom, the boys saddled up to me a little closer. Thank goodness for the cool breeze of the fans and the togetherness.
Yes, we love to go fishing and catch. But Thoreau was right: it is the peacefulness, being in God’s Great Outdoors and time with family and friends that build the lasting memories we can treasure forever.
Alan NeSmith is the chairman of Community Newspapers Inc. Reach him at 706-778-4215 or anesmith@TheNortheastGeorgian.com.