On a recent photo-trip to a nearby river area, I came across families with small children fishing along the shore. I watched a few moments while memories of my childhood fishing experiences flooded to the surface.
My maternal grandmother deeply loved fishing. Before she passed away (I was a small boy,) her, my aunt, my mother, my sister, my cousin and myself would sometimes go fishing for the day at a small pond on my fathers farm. This was the age of cane fishing poles with floats and live bait, usually earth worms freshly dug from gardens and flower beds. In these days you didn’t cast your bait, you swung it out as far as you could reach with your pole and let it drop into the water. All eyes then were on the red and white float gently bobbing on the surface awaiting a bite.
A picnic lunch was almost always packed and it wasn’t long before as children we were bored with the fishing and set about some serious playing among the woods and fields surrounding the pond. I’m sure our mothers always kept tabs of our whereabouts but I don’t remember feeling like they were overly protective.
Most of todays mom’s would find it hard to let their small children run as freely about a dam, pond and the woods as we did.
There were large and small mouth bass as well as brim stocked in the pond, many large enough to eat. The day’s fishing wasn’t done until the fish and the gear were all cleaned. I also remember fishing was more fun when I was too small to be responsible for cleaning the fish.
I’d be tired after a “fishing day” but also happy and satisfied.
Yea, while looking for a good photograph I recovered a childhood memory, a treasure I hadn’t thought of in a long time–a productive day indeed! :-)
I love it when a photo brings you back to a place and time long since forgotten.
Hi Earl,
I grew up on a river, right across from where there was a dam and a lake. Your descriptions triggers all the memories of the adventures of those boyhood days. I think you are right that a lot of parents would not let their kids play in the woods/river the way we did growing up and that’s too bad. I don’t know if times are really changed or just the way news travels now we hear too many horror stories. I’ve heard from some folks that statistically speaking, the US is a lot safer these days than ever before. Something to think about.
Nice memory, this. I too have similar expriences. Being out on this island, Kökar, every summer of my childhood, we did fishing a lot. And, we got at a very early age full freedom and responsibility to get ourselves out on very deep waters. Amazing how different it is nowadays. Even the natives out on this small island tend to force their little ones to wear floating vests. I would rather die. :)
I’t a wonderful image you have captured there. Very still despite the lively waters; you could really sense how nice it must be for that family to stay there at the shore. I very much like the blue and red in the water.
Way to go, Earl. Brought up some fond memories of fishing. We lived about 6 blocks from a large man-made lake where we would ride our bikes up the hill to fish along the shore for all the crappie. I also remember those times grandpa would take us down the the crick (creek) catch a few grasshoppers in expectation some catfish would take our bait. And, of course we had to go swimming in our birthday suits. I’m glad you had a good day and thanks for helping mine along!
And, a treasure for many of your readers, thank you. I have often wished that I had had more patience for fishing with my father. This brings back so many memories.
I think Eric brings up an excellent point. We feel that the world is so much more dangerous because the media pounds it into us that around every corner danger lurks and sometimes I feel the news people relish that job. Of course I remember even as a child hearing stories about dreadful things happening relatively nearby and the harsh reminder of the dark side of life. But these days, the bad news is gleaned from the entire world, and if I listen to it long, I feel battered. I am so grateful to have grown up when I did.
Excellent post, Earl. It brings back a lot of memories for me of playing in the woods as well as going fishing, not on a stream, but in the various lakes around the area as well as Lake Erie. Thanks for sharing.
@Steve Skinner – Those types of photos and memories also sneak up on me. :-)
@Eric Jeschke – I agree I believe many people/parents today have been scared by media horror mongering but then the human side of our population may actually be more dangerous today then it was when I grew up.
@Ove – Thanks for the comments on the photo. Everyone seems to be concerned about being safer these days…but I wonder what’s being giving up.
@Monte Stevens – Glad my sharing my memories brought back some good one for you as well. I do believe our memories are treasures.
@Anita Jesse – I sometimes have to pull away from the news media just because it’s so depressing and like you, makes me feel battered. I’m glad to have grown up when I did as well but I’m concerned over my kids and their kids.
@Paul L. – Thanks. I had to approve your comment for some reason so I didn’t see it when I replied to everyone else.
Most people have fond memories of some part of their childhood and it’s always nice to reconnect to them. :-)
Good post Earl. I think you hit the nail on the head in communicating how much value lies beneath any particular image.
I also wonder if the worries about safety are more in parents’ heads than anything else. We live in a much more “connected” world now – so perhaps there is just too much information flowing. Dangers exist anywhere and always have.
A fine photograph of this beautiful river and fishing place. Your comment made it very nostalgic for many of us, I’m sure. Pictures are treasure in that regard as they prompt our memories and we enjoy thinking of times in the past. A fine post!