Holidays sometimes
evolve.
Memorial Day seems to be one of those that has taken several new identities, but always, in my mind, for the
better.
I didn't realize that it started
as a way to honor those who died during the Civil War. Originally set on May 30 in 1868, people
would decorate graves of the fallen with red flowers.
Originally called
“Decoration Day”, organizations sold imitation red poppies for the benefit of
service men and women in need. Later
being dubbed “Memorial Day” and expanded to include all wars, it is also
a 3-day weekend that is an unofficial start of summer vacations.
I respect all who serve and
also enjoy 3-day weekends – I’m thankful for both aspects of Memorial Day!
My daughter Meghan was able
to come home for the long weekend this year, and while not pre-planned, we – Meghan,
Kristin and my wife Joyce and I went on a family fishing trip.
But it didn't start out that
way.
Meghan typically has her
time back home filled with events with friends, and we didn't have any specific
travel plans, so I thought that I’d take my first fishing day of the year –
alone. Joyce told me several times that
I should go fishing – “It’s your day – enjoy it.”
I had my sights set on Oatka
Creek. Adam S. and Eric at Orvis,
Eastern Hills Mall both had good results earlier in May and I’d heard good
things about the Oatka, but never fished it because it was more than an hour
drive away.
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| Oatka brown trout caught and released by Eric from Orvis, Eastern Hills Mall |
Since "my day" was an
exploratory trip I decided not leave at the crack of dawn, but rather to get
some sleep and head out around 8:30 a.m. and be on the water before 10:00 am.
But, just as Holidays evolve – so do fishing
trips. But, as my wife told me – it was
my day!
While I was packing, Kristin
asked about my plans, and since I just finished building a new fly rod for her,
she wanted to join me. I was thrilled
that she wanted to try her new rod and welcomed her company.
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| Kristin's New Rod |
So, I had to pack her rod
and reel and vest and boots and she wanted to also bring a spinning rod, so I
got one rigged up, and found some appropriate lures, and then tossed a folding
chair in the car for her, just in case, while she grabbed a few snacks.
It was now past 9:30 a.m.,
and Meghan was awake and wondered where Kristin and I were headed. She said that her plans with her friends didn't start till early evening and
why didn't I invite her to go fishing –
with her classic little pout that could not be resisted.
And then there were
three! It was still my day – I was just
sharing it with my girls.
I had not finished building
Meghan’s fly rod that I gave her for Christmas, so, I had to find one of
appropriate size, and selected a fly rod that my Dad built that fit the
bill. So, I grabbed his rod and reel and
found some boots for Meghan, and another folding chair, and unpacked and
re-packed the car – again.
11:30 a.m.
and we were almost ready to go – again!
However – Meghan decided
that it had to be a true family road trip, so Mom/wife Joyce just had to
go with us!
Mom, however, had other
ideas. She planned a very relaxing day
in peace, quiet and solitude – especially since she heard that I was taking
both our little angels fishing.
A glass or two of wine, a
couple magazines, some reality TV and a comfy couch were all she looked forward
to for the day – her day – not “my day.”
But – when Meghan sets her
mind to something – it happens. She gets
her persistence from her Mom, so it was not an easy challenge nor a short
challenge. But ultimately, Joyce did
want to be with her family, so I started to re-pack the car a fourth time
to accommodate another chair, and umbrella to provide shade – it was a really
hot day - and Meghan’s gear.
But, Meghan decided that we
can’t go on a road trip without having a picnic! So, along with Kristin’s snacks, Meghan
started to gather fixins for a picnic.
My day was getting shorter and shorter – but it
was still “my day” to go fishing!
So, by 12:30 p.m., after we
packed a cooler with picnic stuff, we were finally singing the Willie Nelson
classic “On the Road Again” and headed for the Oatka!
An hour and a
half after the first verse of “on the road again”, we were there!
First stop
was the hatchery at Caledonia, NY and Spring Creek.
I did not plan to fish Spring Creek this
trip, but wanted to see this historical, important spot that has influenced
trout fishing for 150 years.
Seth Green,
the father of pisciculture, was instrumental in creating the hatchery and the
science behind hatcheries throughout the world.
We looked
around a bit at the pools of trout – everything from 12” rainbows ready for
stocking to some of the brood trout that were around 7 – 10 pounds.
I met a
fellow fisherman at the hatchery who lived nearby and gave me a lot of great
info about fishing Spring Creek.
I thanked him
and the family piled into the car to head on down to the Oatka.
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| Meghan with her grandfather's fly rod, and my hat at Oatka Creek - ready to fish! |
We found the
parking area and I started getting Kristin and Meghan and me rigged up and
ready to fish. However, by the time we were
ready to fish, it was almost time to leave for home. We had to fish fast!
But first, I
had to set my wife up with a folding chair and a shady spot and cool beverage,
while the girls and I fished.
Meghan had the
fly rod her grandfather built and Kristin had the fly rod that I just built for
her from a 25 year old blank, and I had my favorite rod that I built from a Don
Phillips solid boron fiber rod about 30 years ago – my favorite.
 |
| Fishing trip or Family outing? |
Cutting to
the chase – Meghan got in some casting practice, I got in some casting practice
and found two new places to fish, and Kristin switched to a spinning rod and
used a black rooster tail with a silver blade to catch the only fish of the day.
All in all,
looking back – it was a special treat to be with my wife and two daughters and
still be able to go fishing –
after all – it was
“my day!”
Anytime you
try a new place to fish, you need to expect that things might not always go as
hoped for – sometimes it turns out much, much better!
It was my day, and I enjoyed it!
See you on
the water!
