The wind was just a whisper and the sunlight turned the water
into splashes of diamonds as we launched my first fishing boat
Sunday at San Luis Reservoir.
After a passionate love affair with fishing that has lasted more
than 45 years, I finally bought a boat and named it
”
Uncle Jack.
”
It is dedicated to my uncle and hero, who took the time and had
the patience to teach me how to fish when I was a young boy.
He also showed me the wonder of being on a lake when just a hint
of light was ready to turn into a brilliant sunrise. Or slowly
coming in to the dock when the golden sun was setting on a glorious
day.
The wind was just a whisper and the sunlight turned the water into splashes of diamonds as we launched my first fishing boat Sunday at San Luis Reservoir.
After a passionate love affair with fishing that has lasted more than 45 years, I finally bought a boat and named it “Uncle Jack.”
It is dedicated to my uncle and hero, who took the time and had the patience to teach me how to fish when I was a young boy.
He also showed me the wonder of being on a lake when just a hint of light was ready to turn into a brilliant sunrise. Or slowly coming in to the dock when the golden sun was setting on a glorious day.
I learned through him the incredible thrill of hooking and landing a fish. And doing it in a sporting and environmentally safe way.
He also taught me that it was OK to not catch a fish on any given day. You still had a fun and peaceful day on the water, either by yourself or with friends or family.
He showed me firsthand the importance of teaching children how to fish and how much fun it can be. It might also save their lives, help keep them out of harm’s way. I know that to be true because it has saved mine.
Since he first took me out on a few small lakes in Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan and Indiana, I have been so very fortunate to have fished for salmon in Alaska and billfish in Hawaii, albacore in Mexico and trout in Colorado and Utah, largemouth bass and redfish in Florida, striped bass on Lake Powell and Lake Mead, and northern pike, walleye and lake trout in Canada.
In my native Midwest, I still love to catch bluegill, crappie, bullhead and perch, which is what I caught when I first went fishing with my Uncle Jack.
He died two years ago this month after a short but courageous battle against cancer. He left behind so many people who miss him every day, especially his family and fishing buddies.
I told his wife, my Aunt Lori, another lifelong hero of mine, that I bought a fishing boat and named it Uncle Jack. That way I can always say “I’m going fishing with Uncle Jack.”
She said: “All that Jackie ever wanted was a boat and a motor so he could go fishing. That was enough for him.”
The wind and waves came up suddenly Sunday as it does on San Luis and me and my friend Jeff saw rainbows in the spray.
Just before we went in, I got a bite. Soon a nice striper was in the net and I was the happiest person on Earth.
I dedicated the first fish caught aboard Uncle Jack to him.
All he ever wanted in life was a boat and a motor, so he could go fishing.
Mike Fitzgerald is Associate Publisher/Executive Editor of the Hollister Free Lance. He can be reached at
637-5566 ext. 337 or at mf*********@fr***********.com. His commentary appears in every weekend edition.
