The Perfect Catch

I have been going to Puffers Lake since I was six years old, I caught my first rainbow trout with my dad at this beautiful lake. The art of fishing was pierced deep in my soul the day I saw my dad’s face when I reeled that fish in.

My dad was a man of the mountains. He loved anything to do with the outdoors. Clyde was happiest with a fishing pole in his hand, my mom by his side, and a good John Wayne movie to watch. He enjoyed eating a steak dinner with dutch oven potatoes, a small amount of salad on a separate plate, next to my sister-in-laws famous baked beans.

He lived for late night jeep rides, looking for deer, and he would often pull over to the side of the road so my mom could pick a bouquet of wild flowers.

My dad created a legacy of love. He taught me that kindness is the best way. Families that get along always win the lottery, and being together every July 24 holiday was a special event to be cherished always.

He knew how to enjoy each day to the fullest, and he made friends wherever he went. Clyde always saw the silver living. He choose to drink from the cup that was always half full.

Relationships with people were the most important to him and money was very secondary.

We never went without material things, but his definition of rich was a Sunday night movie, eating buttered popcorn and creating

a safe haven for our family

When my dad passed away he truly wanted us to continue to be together every 24th of July.

This particular year( July 2024) was a new experience for all of us. It was the first time we would be together since my brother Russell passed away from pancreatic cancer in March of this year.

This reunion was very tender, very emotional and very thought provoking. For me, this reunion was SPECIAL.

Every year when the 24th of July rolls around, I anticipate all the planning, the dedication of family members who come sometimes under very difficult circumstances. Each year, especially since my parents have passed away, I consider it an honor and a privilege to be born into the family that I was born into. A family where love was spoken often in the most beautiful and quiet ways.

I have thought a lot about our fishing trip to Otter Creek this year. It’s a tradition that was started by my dad before he passed away in October of 2021.

My dad would usually be in a boat with my brother Russ and sometimes my sister’s family.

He was known for being the first one up that day having snacks prepared and hoping that the fish were biting. I’ve been told by several family members that my dad didn’t catch many fish when he went to Otter creek, but for some reason he always loved going there.

These otter creek trips became very competitive and there was a lot of pressure to catch the most and the especially the biggest fish.

I don’t always go to Otter creek every year but this particular year was very important to me.

I had this 6th sense or motherly instinct that something beautiful was going to happen.

As the boat left the dock and I looked at each one of my boys, my heart skipped a beat knowing that my dad was truly watching us from heaven and I knew he would sneak a few moments with us if our hearts were in the right place.

Sydney and Easton looked extremely happy on this early morning adventure and I felt this sense of excitement knowing that we were going to create a beautiful memory.

Daren got the first bite. It was a huge fish but according to my fisherman husband he did not set the fish right so it got away.

I wanted to catch a fish but my casting skills are not the best. Tyler kindly helped me cast my pole and within minutes I caught the first fish 🎣. Austin helped me set it and I reeled it in with complete JOY.

A brief time went by and we were wondering if we should move the boat. All of the sudden Sydney jumped out of her seat and saw she had a bite, but by the time she grabbed her pole the fish had pulled so hard that the pole landed in the water. The BIG FISH and the pole were both gone

We were all mystified and a little disappointed. However; fishing poles can be replaced and little girls can’t.

About 5 minutes passed by which seemed like an eternity. All of the sudden Austin and Trystan both shouted out at the exact same time that they had a bite.

It was extremely exciting and the adrenaline was high in the air.

They both started reeling in and when the fish got closer to the boat they realized that they both caught the same fish that Sydney had caught and it was still attached to her pole and their poles were both hooked on the pole that had gone overboard .

It was one of those rare moments when you think the impossible could never happen, BUT IT DID. Sydney caught the biggest fish of the day and saved grandpas fishing pole at the same time.

I sat on the seat of the boat and I just knew my dad was there. He was there when Daren said he’d never seen anything like this in all of his fishing adventures. Austin and Tyler were blown away with this incredible event and our family was so honored that Trystan was one of the fisherman who helped save the pole and the fish. However, the moment that I will remember the most is when Easton said with his beautiful smile and big brown eyes.

“I can’t wait to tell mom about this” that truly made my heart melt.

We are all fishers of men trying to bear one another’s burdens so that they may be light.

I’m not sure if I’ll ever look at fishing the same way again, but I know that the things that my father taught me during his 88 years of life on this earth can never be replaced or put a price tag on.

God can and frequently does penetrate our lives with these awesome experiences. He uses us to do it. He knows which “fish” are His; therefore, we are to seek His wisdom and His guidance on all our fishing expeditions.

July 24, 2024 will remain constant and immovable in my box of memories and a little handprint will remain on my heart wherever I see a fishing boat in Crystal blue open waters.