To Good Not to Share

[Nate Bailey]

#7318

I just have to share this. Sundays, after Church, are always reserved for family time. Today, I asked Misty, what she wanted to do. She didn’t know, so I suggested we walked into a good steelhead hole I know on the Rogue. To my surprise, she agreed. After the half hour hike through blackberry bushes, and muddy hills she informed me that this wasn’t what she had in mind, but the river quickly erased the thoughts for the forced march. After a few minutes we were all fishing, in a few more Misty was sitting on the bank due to the rust that a long winter has put on her casting arm. I fished hard, snap t cast, after Snap t cast, out of my switch rod finally produced a take that I could hook. I set the hook solid then yelled for Misty. The fish hadn’t realized he had been hooked for the whole half a minute I waited for Misty to get to where I was. The minute I handed the rod to her he figured it out.

Misty, in a panicked yell, screamed, “What do I do?”

Not thinking, a blurted out, “reel him in.”

It didn’t dawn on me that she took my instructions literally, until I saw the six wt rod bend deeper than it should. I took my eyes off the fish to see why the rod was doubled past the drag setting. To my surprise Misty was standing there with all her mite to do what I said—reel the fish in. Before I could retract my stupid instructions I see the rod go limp. The eight pound maxima couldn’t stand the strain of a fish that wasn’t allowed to run.

Misty, was full of emotions—half disappointed and half exhilarated. Disappointed because she thought she let me down, and exhilarated because she connected with the ever enchanting steelhead. I assured her it was my fault, I should have realized the instructions I gave here were bunk, and I was the one who really lost that fish for her. As we walked back to the pickup I kept thinking how cool is it that the next steelheader born in my household was my wife. I would give hundreds of beached fish for this one we lost; after all, it’s not just about the fish!

[lyagooshka]

#61246

Nate Bailey wrote: …after all, it’s not just about the fish!

Nor is it about the game when we hunt. It is about sharing our passion with the ones we love. It is about becoming part of something much bigger than us and appreciating our place in it. Great story. Thanks for sharing. Can’t wait to take the family for the next “walk in the woods”. Be well.

Alex

😀

[Northener]

#61264

Years ago,the end result was my reward, not so these days. Although I still enjoy success, it has taken a back seat just being outdoors. Happy to hear of your failure but getting total satifaction in your time afield. This is especially true when it’s with family. Thanks for sharing.

[Ralph]

#61412

Way more in life than just a “fish story”. Thanks for sharing, life is good!

Ralph.

[Author]

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