Adventures with rod and reel.

Adventures with rod and reel.

My Uncle was a man of fun hobbies and adventures from building up a Jeep from a crate to luring fish. For many years he didn't have someone on the short side to follow him around of his own so I readily volunteered. To this day I only recall him getting on me about something a two or three times. Once for a cast with a hook grazing him and then later in my days for some not so good of thinking with a life choice. That Jeep took us to some remotely situated holes with the likes of which people take ya blind folded and threaten your next of kin if the secret ever leaves your mouth. My uncle was the type to sneak up on those fish that they didn't see it coming and warn the rest of them. Those fish feared his name. One of those days we happened to be at a spot we called the glory hole. We hadn't been there long and were saving those fish from drowning left and right when all of a sudden there is some serious crashing in the trees and brush near us. The hair stood straight up on my already buzz cut head and I look around trying to see if I was about to be done fishin for life. Then I see it. A badger! Between me and the Jeep now where to go. Almost fell in the good ole glory hole. One wild experience too say the least. Not every trip was as wild with the uncle but good times just the same. I can't recall if I caught my first fish on trips with the uncle but my biggest string full sure was and yeppers it happened at the glory hole. Made many a trip to the glory hole and other goodies along Caulk Creek, corn creek, maple Creek to name a few but the best ones will forever remain a secret between a boy and his uncle.

I have fished many a lake and stream in my many of days. The only time I ventured a fishing trip on a Sunday I found some bad luck. New Shakespeare pole and reel and thinking this was my day to hook the big one. I went early to one of those secret spots and thinking I could get the limit quickly and of course a nap. After a few good casts I get a fine hit to the line set me some hook. Then would ya know my foot had the crazy notion to slide backwards on slippery bottom of a cheap rental tinny boat. Try to save grace and pride I grabbed for the side of the boat and let go of the pole. Scrambling frantically all I could get was a fist full of Moss and water as I see the pole make haste and leave me. I can honestly say to this day even when I wasn't doing the best in life with something's I never fished among other things ever again on a Sunday.

I spent many a trip with a brother in law also. I remember one trip in particular as it was the first time I had gone ice fishing. Early morning, we went to Strawberry where fishing was said to be happening. We punched some holes and did our best to stay warm.  The first fish I hooked as it neared the hole looked too big to come through the small hole. Wow! We were pulling in fish about as fast as we could bait the lines and sink them. About forty minutes later we had the limit and a fine keep. Rather than being cold any longer we headed for a nice grill in Heber for some breakfast. As much as I like to catch fish and save them from drowning, I love me some bacon and eggs too. I'm not much for eating fish so those that know me well know that if you on a trip with me you may well end up with my stringer also.

In the dozen plus years being around various groups of teenagers I have seen some crazy and astounding things fishing. From scouts to foreign exchange students you see it all. Kids catching bushes, fingers, Moss, boat seats, and some of the friends. Yes, and some of the best fishermen and gals. Some of the most fun was finding some that fit the joking of swallowing a story hook, line, and sinker. It always added to the fun of the trip.

Two things that go together are naps and angling. But time spent with family and friends is the most important things. Many of my kids enjoy angling and some even like to eat fish. Lots of great memories with kids and my wife. Fishing with a small boy that graced our family for a time with some special needs was of course a very unique experience but a very special memory too. I look forward to building the same memories with the next generation of anglers in the family now that there are grand kids to have fun with also.

A lot of well-known people enjoyed and still enjoy fishing in its many forms like George Washington, Herbert Hoover, Kevin Costner, and Jack Nicklaus to name a few. But with that said none of those compares to my awesome angling Uncle. But there are a few that may surprise you now and then like Thomas Monson. So if you’re going to set the bar I put my Uncle up there with Pres Monson, and Peter of old, and yes the greatest Fisher of men the Savior. Besides being able to catch fish it is a good thing to catch the souls of men from drowning also.