Look what I bought today!
Licensed to fish!
I know, I’m a little behind. Usually I’ve obtained my license in time for the opening day of trout season, which is usually in March/April here in PA. But this year, schedules got in the way, and for the first time in quite a while, I did not get up at 5:00 a.m. and sit by the creek with Papa Dish to “save our spot” and sit by the water shivering until it’s officially legal to drop your lines in at 8:00 a.m. Trust me, it’s a good time.
So I figured Father’s Day weekend would be a good time to finally get my fish on with Dad. Though I don’t do it often, I do love fishing. It’s relaxing, it’s messy (in a good way) and it’s always exciting when you hook something. While I have my own rod and little tackle box, I never go fishing alone. The idea of solitary fishing always seems like a good idea. It’s not really a team sport. You’re not supposed to talk too loudly anyway. I can tie my own hooks, bait my own hooks, and get a fish off my line without pulling its guts out. My dad taught me all of these things at a young age so I could fish on my own, should I chose to do so.
I’m in it mostly for the companionship and conversation, really. I think guys fish in groups because they need some kind of an activity to be the center of their gathering so they don’t have to talk about anything of substance. Guys need a sport, or fire at which they can stare, or beer cans to crush, or tangled line at which to curse. Us gals? All we need is a bottle of wine and a couch, and we have all we need to gab for hours, sharing our inner-most secrets.
Mr. Dish will come home from the baseball game, having spent 4+ hours with his Best Man, and when I ask him “what’s new” with Mr. Best Man he’ll say, “I dunno,” or “Nothing.” Really? You didn’t talk about ANYTHING but sports that whole time? (Don’t answer that.)
Now to every rule there is an exception. Papa Dish and I have had some great heart to heart talks as we’ve stared at our bobbers, not catching anything. That’s why I love it so much. I could have a tackle box filled with fancy lures and a stringer full of trout, but it’s never really about the fish.
Unless I catch a fish that’s bigger than Dad’s… in which case… it’s totally about the fish!
What are YOUR Father’s Day plans?
