Father’s Day came and went - by TJ Stallings

Father’s Day came and went. Thoughts of dad and our many fishing adventures filled the day. The first fishing trips are the easiest to recall.

Times were simpler then. Big orange life-vests, a pair of oars and six cane poles were the gear of choice. Dad would slowly row the boat while watching the lines. We caught our share and ate well as a result.

We did not know it then, but crappie fishing would eventually course through our veins.
Oh, we strayed over the years. Our passion for bluegill was something of legend in our hometown. Chasing bass became the next fashionable fish. Then the elusive snook stole our hearts. I really went off course, sight-casting reds on the flats. The allure of fishing offshore took over for a while. Our family tackle shop grew, as we broadened our horizons.

Chilly mornings brought a steady stream of crappie anglers. We dipped bait, ran the register, and wished we could join them.

An old high school friend suggested we take my new boat to Lake Harney for crappie. We were on our way to his father-in-law’s camp the next morning. At noon, we found ourselves munching on fresh crappie and hushpuppies.

While watching the moss sway in the oak trees that afternoon, I realized that my fishing career began with crappie fishing.

My children and grandchildren have those same fishing roots. However, they have the benefit of graphite, B’nM™ poles. “Paw-Paw” has a trolling-motor instead of oars.

Some things change, some stay the same.

Blessings, -TJ

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