My Gospel today is from the Book of Izac.
Izac Walton.
Bob was the “Complete Angler.”
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That’s him at the end of the line. The handsome fellow in the middle is me.
I don’t know who those other bums are but they were always around. Very irritating.
If it is true that the time a man spends fishing is not counted against his allotment, than perhaps we can understand why Bob lived to the age of 93. In angler’s years he was just a shade under 60.
Bob loved fishing. He had been taught by his own father, Jopie, who used to rent or “borrow” – he had a longshoreman’s sense of private property – a row boat and fish the nooks and crannies of Upper New York Bay. Bob, in turn, taught us to fish, mostly here on the small rivers of the Hill Country.
I think you need four qualities to be a good fisherman. Bob possessed all of them.
Patience. Or “Good things come to those that wait.” Not a bad quality in Public Television either.
Optimism. Or “Surely, if I wait long enough, good things will come.” See Public Television.
Stoicism. My waders are leaking, the mosquitoes are biting but the fish are not, and it’s raining so hard I can’t see my hand in front of my face. La la la la la!
And finally, and perhaps most importantly, what might be described as:
“An innate appreciation for the Ride.”
That is the rare ability to enjoy the elements – whatever they might be – relish the challenges – whatever gets thrown at you – and savor the quiet companionship of those who, however briefly, might share your little patch of bright water.
Where-ever you are, Dad: tight lines.