I fish…
As a young boy growing up on the shore of the Chesapeake Bay some of my fondest memories are days spent on the water with my Grandfather…a man I idolize and strive everyday to emulate. Some of the greatest “life lesson’s” I’ve learned were spent in a little wooden flat bottom 16’ skiff off of Barren Island or fishing off the old wooden Hoopers Island bridge in the late 70’s. I would like to say I can remember each and every fish we caught, but I can’t…what I can remember were the conversations we had and the lesson’s I learned and how they impact me today. The greatest lesson I learned was that it had nothing to do with how many fish we caught, that was an inconsequential side bar to the overall fishing experience. What I did learned is respect…respect for the fishery…respect for the environment…respect for my grandfather and the principles he instilled into me. One particular day we were fishing around Barren Island targeting croakers and bluefish when suddenly my rod bowed up and was nearly pulled from my hands. I had never felt such a strong, fighting fish before and I was afraid I would lose both the rod and the fish. But there was “Pop Pop” with his hand on my shoulder, offering instruction and encouragement, “keep that rod up boy” I heard him say over and over again. Never once did he touch the rod, nor did his voice ever raise …just slow and steady, “you got him Jay, keep working him…crank boy, crank…” After what seemed to be an eternity to me I finally saw the fish…a giant “Rockfish” around 40” long which was huge by my standards and practically an unheard of catch during this time period on the Bay. “Pull the pole straight up Jay so I can grab him” Pop Pop said as I raised the rod up and guided the fish towards him. As my grandfather pulled the fish over the side of the skiff I’ll never forget the smile on his face as he laid it across his lap to admire his grandsons trophy. “You did good boy…you did damn good” he said with a twinkle in his eye. I sat there exhausted but exuberant, and for the first time in my life I was practically speechless, all kinds of thoughts running through my head…”I can’t wait to show my mom and dad” … “my brother Jeff is going to be so jealous”, and “wait till my friends at school see this.” But that was not to be for what happened next will forever be engrained into my memory, I watched as Pop Pop removed the hook from the giant Rockfish’s mouth and slowly slid her over the side, and with a little side to side motion he released her. I just sat there in utter disbelief, “why did he do that” I thought? I remember that I started crying, “Pop Pop why did you let my fish go…why” I sobbed. “Jay” he looked at me and said, “it’s against the law to kill a Rockfish”. During this time period there was a moratorium on catching Rockfish in the Chesapeake Bay. I sat there and pondered that for a moment, looking all around us, no other boats to be seen, no cars traveling on the roads and said…”But Pop Pop, who’s going to know?” Pop Pop just looked at me and said…”you and I’d know now wouldn’t we Jay?” Although I didn’t understand then and really didn’t understand completely until later on in life what he really meant by that statement. As I grew up and eventually joined the Air Force, one of the Air Force’s Core Values is “Integrity”…”Doing the right thing even when no one is watching” and that reminded me of that day fishing with Pop Pop. For some of my fellow younger Airmen it’s a new concept to them, but one I was taught nearly 30 years ago by a then 80 year old “waterman” who I looked up to like no one else. This was just one of the many lessons learned from Pop Pop, but the one that I constantly try to adhere to. Now as we fast forward 30 years I try to take the lessons taught to me and pass the on to my children and in the future God willing, to my grand children. Unfortunately, I might never get that chance to have the “Pop Pop” moment with my grand children as the current administration is taking measures to limit or possibly eliminate my right to fish. As a patriotic American I will continue to serve my country, and I will continue follow the rules imposed upon me and my fellow fishermen because I have integrity. But I will say this to those who wish to take fishing away from me…”Do right by US…because WE ARE WATCHING…and I VOTE!”