Spectator Fishing

Well, as of yesterday I have a whole new experience of catfishing. My 10 year old son Ridge and I tagged along yesterday for some winter catfish with the Venerable Terry Madewell at an undisclosed location. It was a cool brisk day and one that will be forever burned into the memory bank for many years to come.

My son is a fairly shy boy, but a good boy in general. Yesterday, however while fishing for cats, I saw a transformation. As the rods were sitting in their holders waiting for the bite. My shy, ten year old son transformed into an obsessed fisherman watching the rods, almost glaring at the rods for the slightest of movements. When a bite was suspected, he would lunge towards the rod, seeming to foam at the mouth with obsession - on several occasions he literally pushed me out of the way go get to the rods when a suspected fish was hooked up. One particular instance found me gasping as a small elbow was thrust into my stomach taking my breath as he sped past to get to a fishing rod with a fish attached.

Mr. Madewell was no help in this matter, in fact he was encouraging the behavior thus leading my son down a narrow path of ill mannered selfish, I would dare say, possessed fishermen!

But as a Dad, riding on the boat, taking picture after picture of my Son, grinning from ear to ear as he landed fish after fish. Including the best catfish ever for the family, far surpassing my previous record. I learned that fishing is better enjoyed, as a spectator of others who have yet to feel the enticing pull of a mighty fish. It was an honor to be a part of this day, a day that I know I will never forget and I hope Ridge will never forget. When I floated along with a dear friend and watched as my son became a fisherman. Indeed, spectator fishing is not bad at all.