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In looking back over the impact my grandparents and parents have
had on me, I have a
tremendous amount of appreciation for their helping me learn to
love the outdoors. Although
my grandmother was not the outdoors type, she encouraged my grandfather
to take us fishing
as often as possible. My earliest memories of fishing are with my
grandfather and father.
Each summer my brothers and I came to Corsicana for a month long
visit with my mother’s
parents. My grandfather, Avery Jackson, usually took a week of vacation
so we could fish all
day, everyday. After returning to work, he would come home each
day and take us fishing until
dark and all day on Saturday. On Sunday, they had us in church,
so we didn’t fish one day out
of the week.
Each summer, we got new cane poles, our primary means of fishing.
There is no telling how
much money my grandfather spent on minnows for us to go fishing.
Quite a bit, I am sure. We
fished stock tanks and small lakes, mostly. We fished for anything
that would bite. We always
had a great time, as long as we were fishing. He always seemed to
have time to take us.
My earliest recollection of fishing with my father is bass fishing.
My dad was always fishing
bass tournaments. At one time he was a member of three different
bass clubs at the same time.
He took us out as often as he could. This is where my brothers,
Todd and Pat, and myself,
learned to fish with rod and reels and artificial lures. Although
totally different from our cane pole
fishing around Corsicana, it was equally enjoyable and educational.
I am thankful that both of
these important men in my life took the time to share an American
heritage with me, fishing.
Fishing is the number one leisure sport in America. More people
are involved in and more
money is spent each year on fishing than any other sport in our
country. It is just good, clean,
wholesome fun for the whole family.
As both my grandfather and I got older, it became my job to take
him fishing instead of the
other way around. He loved to go to Richland-Chambers and catch
sandbass when they were
schooling. Just before his death, we had made plans to go give them
a try in the upcoming
days. Unfortunately, I will not have the chance to do so. I will
always wish we had been able
to go, one more time.
I am blessed with still having my father. He and I fish together
several times a year. We fish
a few bass tournaments together and we fish for bass and stripers
when I visit him in Arkansas.
Occasionally we will travel to Missouri to trout fish. Some of the
best times we have ever had
together have been on the water and on the shoreline, fishing together.
Both of my brothers and I love to fish and do so regularly. Had
it not been for the love and
dedication of my two greatest heroes, who taught us to love, appreciate
and respect the
outdoors, we might have missed out on the greatest pastime in America,
fishing.
Take time to pass on an American tradition. Share the heritage of
fishing. Take a youngster
or an adult fishing. It might be the greatest thing you could ever
do for them. If you were lucky
enough to have, now gray or slick headed men, take you fishing when
you were younger, find
time to return the favor. You might be surprised how much fun you
have and how much those
old dogs can still teach us young pups.
Until next time,
enjoy the Texas outdoors.
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