A memory of my father

[Tyme2fish]

In 1971 I took a furlough from the Army in order to go on a fishing trip to Strawberry Lake in Minesota with my father.

One evening on the lake, we observed lightning way off in the distance in the reflection off the clouds and setting sun. A slight hint of thunder would slowly roll over us as we set and fished. There was no danger to us, just a wonderful far off display of Mother Nature

My father served in the Pacific theater in Guadalcanal during WWII. I inquired if the distant lightning and the thunder reminded him of long ago battles. He replied, "Yes. I was witness to a naval battle far out at sea over the horizon from my fantage point high on a hill in the jungle and those lightning flashes and thunder do resemble that battle." That was about the only time he shared any memories of battle and warfare he endured.

We then went to shore and were loading our fishing gear into the small camping travel we had towed with us as our residence for the week.

I was exiting the trailer with a 7 foot rod as dad attempted to enter the trailer. My rod tip went straight into his belly and the look on his face indicated that a Japaneese soldier and "run him thru" with a bayonet.

A split second later he knew what had happened and starting laughing. We both enjoyed the laugh and then fixed supper and downed a few "brown pops" to finish the day.

Dad passed in 1982 and I still miss him every day.

 

[avenger79]

Re: A memory of my father

sounds like your dad was a great guy. funny how the best memories of dad's seem to be while fishing.

I remember mine taking me out on Lake Superior in a very small boat with a 5HP motor. Very calm day and he was a navy vet so I was ok with it. Soon the clouds got dark and the sky opened up. I don't know how big the waves were but I know that little boat drove up them and flew down. he made me duck down and hhold on tight.
my dad and i never got along but I always remember that day fondly. to a young boy it wasn't nearly as scary as it was fun. that old boy could really handle that boat. now days i look back as an adult and i bet he was scared to death but never let on.
a few other good memories with him and they all involve fishing. I'm very lucky that i still have my dad and i've grown up enough to know he's an alright guy. we spend much more time together now but we still like fishing together the best.

 

[JB]

Re: A memory of my father

That is an interesting thing about being a dad, avenger. When your child or another loved one is threatened there is no fear, only determination.

The same psychological thing happens to men in combat. They fight to protect their buddies.

The fear comes only after the crisis is past.

I had a similar crisis to yours. I had my 8 year old daughter in the boat and we were looking up at water on both sides. The wind was blowing a horizontal spray that stung like bullets. My mind only focused on dealing with the next wave. When we made the dock I wet my pants.

 

[avenger79]

Re: A memory of my father

That is an interesting thing about being a dad, avenger. When your child or another loved one is threatened there is no fear, only determination.

The same psychological thing happens to men in combat. They fight to protect their buddies.

The fear comes only after the crisis is past.

I had a similar crisis to yours. I had my 8 year old daughter in the boat and we were looking up at water on both sides. The wind was blowing a horizontal spray that stung like bullets. My mind only focused on dealing with the next wave. When we made the dock I wet my pants.

Yep, I had a couple scares with my son on dirtbikes and 4 wheelers. you'd be amazed how far down a ravine you can jump when your son is down there after crashing.
funny biggest bass I've ever caught was accidently set free by my son, first time when he was about 7. The second time was this year he is 17 now and still gets excited when you haul in a big one. I think the little rascal doesn't want me to have a trophy size fish. I still take him fishing though when we can.

 

[Kenneth Brown]

Re: A memory of my father

When i was a youngster my Dad never had much time for me as he was too involved in alcohol and drugs. At 13 yo (me) he quit everything cold turkey and completely turned his life around. Of course at 13 I was at the stage that he didn't mean anything to me and my whole purpose in life was to give him grief. At 14 I started working for him at his shop. Thats the hardest I've ever worked for the least amount of money with the worst boss ever. Two years later business was too slow and he had to shut the doors and work for someone else. Loyal customers continued to want him to fix their cars so we moonlighted with me doing most of the work. I learned alot from that azzhole, and it showed. We were always broke and always had to fix whatever broke ourselves or do without. Of course Dad had me doing the hard part and done in the dirt with him regardless if I had done my part or not, he was working so I had to be there. I picked up quite a bit from that too. One year ago we moved into the house that my wife and I built 50% of ourselves. I owe 99% of the skills I used to my Dad. At around 20 or so (when I had a child of my own) me and my Dad started to talk to each other as men. We would go fishing and sometimes not fish. We would just sit in the truck and never get out. Talk for hours on end. At 34 I worry about my 60 yo Dad. He's my best freind and I would be totally lost without him. Thanks Dad, I wouldn't change a thing.........

 

[Tyme2fish]

Re: A memory of my father

KB: A somewhat distubring post but I'm glad it has finally worked out for you. God Bless you and your dad.

 

[Kenneth Brown]

Re: A memory of my father

Sorry Rob, didn't mean to mess yours up or for it to be disturbing. Its the true story of my life and I have no regrets.

 

[captlee]

Re: A memory of my father

Most of my memories of my father involve boats and fishing. Most of the familys' free time was spent on the water fishing or claming. We had our ups and downs especially when i was a teenager . I lost him to cancer in '83 and still miss him to this day, especially when im fishing or need advice. It would be nice to take him out fishing today like he used to take me out all the time back then. Sometimes if im fishing alone ill talk to him and feel a certain peace and serenity. Id like to think hes there in spirit, especially when i say "help me out here will ya?" and moments later land a nice fish.

Thanks for this thread Tyme2fish, it made me stop and think about him today and remeber some good times

 

[Ross J]

Re: A memory of my father

Dad was my best mate, in many more ways than I knew when he was alive!
His method of giving advice was to simply listen and give minor quiet direction till I solved my own problems. I don't know how many times he did that when I was young.
We fish, hunted, shopped and generally got along as well as any dan with x5 kids can. Whats more all 5 of us reckon we got the best end of the deal!

Now I find when there's a problem and I'd like to talk with dad about it I simply think "What would dad do?", and hey presto there always comes an answer.
The best thing is that my grown up kids say the same thing about my wife and I.
Hope the grandkids think so too.

I have only the highest admiration for the folk that either didn't have a dad in their life or didn't get along for whatever reason.
Ross

 

[Mike Robinson]

Re: A memory of my father

Thanks for sharing guys.

My father just passed away in May at 75 years old. When I was a kid we didn't fish much, I only became an avid fisher as an adult. In May 2007 my father and stepmom flew up for a 2 week visit and I was able to get them out in the boat a couple of times. In spring there are usually chinook salmon just out in front of town so we don't have to go far which was a good thing due to my fathers bad back. Fishing was pretty good that spring and Dad was content to sit and steer while we trolled and he just watched the action. I cherish those moments.

He also got the opportunity to bond with his young grandson which I was very grateful for.

Thanks Dad!

 

[gonfishn]

Re: A memory of my father

It seems that i wasn't the only one who had hard times with our dads. He always told me i would not amount to nothing. Had that dog following me for a long time. He also was a WW11 vet. In 1968 it was the thing to do so i joined up to prove he was wrong.

When I came back from Nam our ties became closer and we became best friends.
We have a place up North and in the year 1986 we went to the homestead together for two weeks. We buried all that was there many years ago. Little did i know it would be our last time together. He had lung cancer and knew this would be his last fishn trip with me. He passed over three months later. I still remember those days, when i see a sunset or sitting around the fire when up at the homestead..

 

[eaglejim]

Re: A memory of my father

When I was younger my Dad would take me fishing on a buddys boat (tri-hull),last year found a project tri-hull worked on it all thru the winter, The folks came up this summer we spent the better part of 3 days on the boat sightseeing,tubeing, etc for my Dad I think the best part was Sunday (he likes Sunday's paper) he did not want to go in the car but was more than happy to take the boat and go to the marina to get his paper,he had a smile from ear to ear the whole way.