Memorial Day 2014 - remembering those who serve and making family memories

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.

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. 

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.

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.

Kristin and Oatka brown trout

Kristin's trout in my net

Kristin's trout safely released

So, about an hour and a half after we arrived, we left – looking for a place to have dinner and looking forward to coming back when we had more time. 

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!

Dave