A bond between a Father and Son

[Innovator]

For as long as I can remember back, I have always had passion for fishing. Although, I cannot remember when it started I can tell you with whom it was, my Dad. My father would take me fishing at every occasion possible, no matter how young I was. At first it was bottom fishing, mostly scup and flounder, then graduated to bluefish and striped bass, and eventually dabbling in the offshore game chasing tunas and sharks.

Although, I grew up in the city of Boston (Savin Hill) I had the good fortune of having a family house on Cape Cod where I spent most of my summers and was the place where I was first introduce to fishing. I was the luckiest kid in America. Not only did fishing become my passion but it became my occupation. I first worked on a local charter boat as a mate at age 12, paid my dues, and obtained my Captain's License at 18, and started running charter boats for other owners. This eventually turned into running privately owned sportfishing vessels. I spent close to 20 years working professionally on sport fishing vessels by the time I was 30 years old and had the time of my life.

I owe all of this to one person, my Father. He opened my young eyes up to a world I never knew existed, allowed me to see things most people will never see, I went to places I never knew existed, had experiences I will never forget. Fishing changed my life forever and set me on a path so far beyond even my wildest expectations. He and I got to experience allot of these things together, and he dreamed he was with me for the rest.

My father was diagnosed with stage IV esophigial cancer the day after Thanksgiving this year and has been giving it his best fight and dealing with the barrage of chemicals to kill this cancer. These treatments have left him extremely weak and fatigued. I find myself thinking about if we will ever be able to fish together again and pray to God we will be able to get out there at least one more time.

Some days I look into his eyes and feel this will never happen, he knows it and I know it. I have already seen a man who has had fishing taken from him, please do not take this from myself and my children.

God Bless,

Kevin G

[SteveK]

Kevin,
Your post hit a sharp nerve, and I only hope that you both get one if not many more times together on the water. My very last conversation with my Dad was of course about fishing. The recollection was of our hidden special spot for tautog in the early fall in Narragansett Bay. As he was lying on the couch with the final stages of stomach cancer, I recalled for him those days of bailing nice tautog in the fall and coming home with plenty of food for us and our neighbors. His eyes got a bit misty, and he said "yeah that was a great spot wasn't it? We had some great days fishing that hole!!" He did a lot of fishing with guys in the Elizabeths in the 60s &70s and new all the top guys fishing the Snug Harbor Tuna Tournament because he supplied all the fishing awards for Shaefer Beer in those days. I always jumped at the chance to go with him to see the fish as they were weighed in. Fishing has given me so many memories that I am now passing on to my two young sons. The bond continues.

Dad passed away the next morning after that conversation, but he always remains close in our hearts and spirit. This is what fishing really brings to those of us lucky enough to experience it.

SteveK

[LuckyLady]

Ditto, except father and daugther! I learned the water and fishing from my dad the last lear or two of his life fishing was forgotten, his spirit lives on in me tho