Fish Tales
These are my father's hands. They are the hands that taught me to fish. These hands baited hooks, cast out lines, and removed the catch until I was old enough to do it myself. They applauded me when I could occasionally "outfish" them in the sun of the ocean surf.
These hands taught others to fish by silently setting the hook and then handing the rod (and fish) over to someone's child so that they could feel the fish tug and "make a great catch."
These hands still work magic when rod and reel are in their grasp.
These hands have never needed to tell a "fish tale."
Now these folks are full of fish tales:
Great photo - great intro to it. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you. He's a great dad.
DeleteWhat a moving, poignant post.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Shelly.
DeleteGreat story and great picture. I've only been fishing for the last 12 years or so. Usually go to a fishing camp for a week or so every June. When I started I used to let my buddy bait the hook, remove the fish from the hook, gut and clean any fish I caught. I did manage to eat it, though.
ReplyDeleteMy hubby will clean them for me, now - but my dad taught me how to do that as well.
DeleteReminds me of both of my late grandfathers who taught me how to fish, one in the Atlantic Ocean, the other on his pond behind his house. Perfect blog post, perfect photo.
ReplyDeleteHe taught my son too on a Snoopy fishing rod in the ocean.
DeleteThat's a very sweet photo and post. I'm always amazed at how many people still fish, given that it's such a slow thing to do in our busy, modern times. I used to, and I taught my kids, too, but I haven't done it in so many years I'm thinking about getting rid of my rod and reel.
ReplyDeleteIt's really nice that your father took the time to teach you what he knew. Really nice.
He still fishes and that makes him so happy. My hubby and I fish, but not as much as we used to. We actually learned how to make rods a few years ago.
DeleteWhat an AWESOME photo and wonderful story about your father!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks. I knew this was what I wanted when I saw the theme.
DeleteWonderful word smithing. These hands look so capable, yet I see the gentleness that's implied in your writing. Very moving.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Stephen. Sometimes fewer words can say a lot more.
DeleteSuch love in those words you wove beneath those tender looking hands.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I think he thought I'd lost it when I asked to take the photo.
DeleteWhat a wonderful post and beautiful photo.. It makes me think about my late grandfather, who taught me how to fish. Great job, truly. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks. I hope that you enjoyed fishing with him!
DeleteI love when people share stories of their families. I enjoy fishing and will bait my own hook but for some weird reason, I don't like touching the fish. I could use some help from your dad!
ReplyDeleteThe secret is to have a towel on hand to grab the fish with...but don't tell 'cause it's a secret.
DeleteI've never fished, well, once maybe when I was a kid, but that was moving and did spark little emotions, both my grandfathers were brilliant with their hands and my dad, though not a fisherman, can do pretty much anything.
ReplyDeleteYes! In my day it was "dad fix this." Now my kids go "Papa fix it!."
DeleteI love this. So very, very beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nicky. He could probably catch a humongous fish stick!
DeleteYou are the first "Plus One" I've done... AND I tweeted this. What an amazing AMAZING picture and story!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I don't even know what Plus One is, but I appreciate the tweet and your comment!!!
DeleteI think this photo is my favorite photo of this non-contest contest. This photo is absolutely beautiful as is the story. This post has almost made the last twenty-three days of hell worth it!
ReplyDeleteWow, thanks, Malisa. That's very sweet of you.
DeleteWonderful photo and very lovely story.
ReplyDelete;-)