Who taught you how to fish? How can you ever repay them?

Question

All those that spent time teaching me to fish are long past. Do I need to pass the torch in order to keep fishing alive?

Answer 1

Billy, first off...great question!!
I became enthralled with fishing at the tender age of 3 when my great grandmother that lived in East Texas and was a very fine bass fisher took me out in her row boat and caught what looked like a whale to me. A largemouthed creature with a black back and green sides and bright white fat belly came over the side of the boat and flopped around on the floor. What an impact that had! My father took me to the river every weekend to fish for carp and catfish, and when I was 5 he bought me my first fishing pole. An Abu-Garcia rod and Zebco reel just my size. Man that was the greatest gift ever! He taught me how to take care of my tackle and bait my own hooks, how to hold a catfish while removing it from the hook so as to not get barbed. My brother (2 years older) always seemed to catch the biggest fish and I always caught the most. After having kids of my own and realizing how important fishing is to instill in kids I learned to build custom rods and made 3' long solid fiberglass poles for my kids that they loved and used. Seeing them catch their first fish was an awesome memory. We went fishing very often and the love they have for the outdoors is evident even to this day.
I can't help but think how different it would have been if I had been born to some parents that thought playing video games and hanging out at the mall was good parenting. For some it may well be the best they can do, but I get such a satisfaction teaching children how to fish and seeing them proud when they can catch fish all on their own. I'm sure that is all I can do to repay those that patiently watched and helped me along the way. And today at 49 years old, passing that torch is a reel honor! If the person that taught you to fish is still alive then taking them fishing might be the best payback of all. Let's keep that torch glowing and fishing the greatest outdoor adventure ever discovered.

Answer 2

My fishing mentor was my Aunt. She is, has been and always will be the favorite woman in my life (yes, I am married and Love the wife....she understands). She was a very smart woman, she took the time to teach me fishing and then used fishing trips to teach me other things that i needed to learn (and I didnt have a clue....told you she was smart!). I doubt I can repay such a debt but i do practice what she taught from catch and release what I wont eat, to appreciate the beaty of nature around me, to respect what God has given us and all the little life lessons she so cleverly sprinkled in. Today I take my daughter out whenever opportunity arises and we often invite a freind and her Dad along that maybe never would choose to fish otherwise. Lessons learned are often wasted if not passed on so every chance I get I teach what I have been taught and never forget to tell my new student who taught me. Those that taught you arent gone....they live on through you so pass the gift on...they are watching from the big pond in the sky! Take a kid fishing (or even an elderly person, they still love the outdoors but need a caring soul to help them)....I bet you get as much out of it as they do. I know now that my teacher did.

Answer 3

Yes I would definitely pass the torch on to your children or a friend! So few people enjoy fishing now that it is becoming a lost sport. I have come to treasure the times my dad and I go fishing, even though he convinced me to kiss a fish years ago! (I don't reccommend it as they will bite your lip!) The last time we went fishing was in a muskie tournament. For those of you who don't know what a muskie is, it is a pretty big fish (keep limit in Illinois is 48 inches or more) with a long mouth full of sharp teeth. It was my first time fishing for muskie and my first tournament. I caught one 15 minutes after being on the water - some fishermen have been trying to 11 years or longer to catch a muskie. I believe my dad was more excited about catching the muskie then I was and I shall never forget it!

Answer 4

My dad taught me to fish. When I was about 5 years old, he had a fishing rod made for me so that it was more my size.
He made beautiful "flies and lures" that were special in more ways than one.
Since my dad was in his late 50's when I was born, it gave me wonderful memories to look back on after he passed away.
I think the time talking and bonding was as important as the fishing. I was never really "good" at fishing, but I sure had tons of fun.

If you don't have children, or even if you do; There are plenty of kids who you can share your knowledge with. The Big Brothers association has lots of kids who don't a male role model in their life. You could leave a lasting impact on a young life.
You sound like you would make an excellent teacher/friend for someone who would appreciate it more than you know.

Answer 5

First of all that bring me a lot of good memories when dad teach me to fish i thnik the best way to repay them is teaching your sons the same way you learned to fish and you dont need to keep the fishing alive beacuse always is gonna be some guy wanting to catch some fishes is imposoble to end something like that , have a nice day.

Answer 6

My dad taught me to fish. He has since passed away and I am now teaching my daughter to keep the torch alive. It is just a little way for her to know her Grandpa. He died three years before she was born and now she will always have a part of him.

Answer 7

Great question!!! My dad and grandfather were instrumental in my introduction to fishing. My grandfather has passed on and I still go with my dad when we get a chance. I have 3 grand-daughters and a new grandson. My oldest grand-daughter loves to fish with me and she really enjoys catching more fish than grandpa. The two twins are going to get their start this year as soon as it get a tad warmer (and grandpa gets two new life jackets). The grandson will have to probably wait another year but he already has a rod and reel.......I brought it up to the hospital when he was born. There is a saying that goes something like "God does not deduct the time a person spends fishing from his life". If that is true then I will probably live forever.

Answer 8

My father taught me to fish when I was a young girl as I grew up on the Gulf Coast of S.E. Texas. I repaid him many times over by telling others that he was the one that taught me. I also surprised him by learning fly-fishing and fly-tying on my own. I then surprised him by taking him shopping for his own fly rod and gave him three dozen flies that I had tied. I later became a program director at a youth camp and taught others how to fly fish and tie flys. Whenever I was asked, "Who taught you how to fish?", my reply was always, "My Dad". Even though I'm a mom, I taught my two sons how to fish, so I "passed the torch" there also.

A lot of kids have not had the experience of learning fishing because they have too many other exciting things like video games and computers. Pass the torch-teach a child or young adult how to fish!

Answer 9

My Dad taught me to fish, and they are memories I can always cherish. I feel that I do him justice in 2 ways, one by teaching my boys to fish, and have Grandpa come along...as our on-site expert, but also by making "books about me", with pics of my Dad and I fishing and our catches, along with explanations and the great times shared. Then my children can reflect on just what fishing really means, and how as you say "passing the torch" is just as important for them to do with their families. My opinion, life simply stated is this: It's all about the good times shared.

Answer 10

My Father and my Grandfather taught me how to fish . Yes I have passed thet torch to many others , I have took several girlfriends and their children fishing .

I know now what my Dad and Grandpa felt like when they knew I was hooked on fishing. Nothing like seeing youngun catching a fish . And nothing like the smile on the face of a kid or a woman when they catch a big fish.