Spring Fishing

Hi, my name is Larry and my father and I have just returned from a fishing trip which I didn’t want to go on and I was forced. It was terrible. He said I’d lose my allowance for the summer, I’d have to give up my bike privileges, meaning I’d have to ask my Mom or him every time I wanted to go somewhere on my bike, like to see my girlfriend, and some other things which were going to make my life miserable. He even mentioned perhaps I should take a summer tutor course to help me pass my worst subject in school, which is English. To make it even worse, the trip was for a full week and it was somewhere up in Canada and I had to leave my phone at home. I couldn’t even text my friends and I was really mad because I was afraid they would never text with me again.

I had to help put the canoe on the truck and pack a lot of stuff, tents, stove, help buy the food and listen while he read off what we were going to have for meals and asked if I had any suggestions. Which I didn’t. What would I care? I don’t like what they eat anyway. He even suggested I should take a book or magazines to read because it was going to take about a day of traveling and I might get bored. What did he know? I don’t like to read anything. I text with my friends and that’s enough.

We got up at this horrible hour. I think it was something like four a.m. I couldn’t look at my phone so I didn’t know for sure. We drove for what seemed like hours before he and his friend Joseph and I stopped for breakfast. It was this small diner where they stop every year and these people who own the place even remembered them. They even seemed pleased to meet me even though I can’t imagine why.

We finally got to the fishing place after driving over a lot of dirt roads. The truck was a mess but that was okay and then we set up the tent and the tarp over the stove. I couldn’t figure out why anyone would want a cover over the cooking area but he said I’d probably find out. It was quite late but he and Joseph got out their rods. He asked me didn’t I want to try “wetting my line.” What a dumb thing to call fishing. I said no, I would just sit on the bank and watch them. It was quite late but I guess it gets dark later in Canada, something about being further north and the days are longer. Something to do with the sun.

They started fishing and it wasn’t long before he caught the first one. A trout, Joseph said, and good size. He kept playing with it, getting it close, then it would go away from him. I thought it was kind of ridiculous he didn’t just pull the fish in so he could catch another one if that’s what he wanted to do. Whole thing seemed stupid anyway. Drive all this distance and go through all this work when they could have just gone to the supermarket and bought fish. I went for a swim before it was dark and was it cold. Somehow though it felt okay when I got into my sleeping bag but I couldn’t sleep very well. I missed my bedroom and I couldn’t text my friends to say good-night.

The next morning he woke me up early and said to get dressed because we were going to fish and then come back to the campsite for breakfast. I was hungry. I wanted something to eat. So he said have a donut and some coffee or milk. I had some coffee with lots of milk. It was okay. Then we drove a ways and he rigged a fishing rod for me and showed me how to use it. I probably wasn’t too nice ‘cause I could really care less but I figured if I had to be here for a week maybe I’d better do something. It took me quite a few tries and Joseph even helped me before I could get the lure away from the bank and out into the river. They had caught a few fish before I felt this real hard tug on the line and the end of the rod bent way down. I thought I was going to lose it all in the water. He and Joseph kept calling instructions what to do and I got kind of confused. He came wading over and quietly gave me advice. Said not to “horse it” whatever that meant at the time. Finally I got the fish in to where he could get it with his net. He said it was a good-size trout and I had done well to get it in where it was my first fish and all. Said it had taken me over 45 minutes to land it. I didn’t believe him but it was time to go back for breakfast. I was really hungry and I ate whatever we had.

Then, I had to help pick up the campsite and the tent and make some sandwiches and he asked me if I wanted to fish the rest of the day because we were going to fish out of the canoe and it would be a little different. I guessed fishing would be better than hanging out in the tent.

We all took turns paddling and fishing even though they had some funny remarks about the way I paddled that I won’t repeat. As it got later in the day, I admit I was beginning to have more fun as I caught fish, got a sunburn until I put on some sun cream, and finally paddled the canoe in a straighter line. It was almost dark when we got back to the campsite and I took another swim and then had to help get dinner. Joseph even showed me how to clean the fish, which I really didn’t want to know. It was well after dark when we finally went to bed and I think I fell asleep getting into my sleeping bag. It was a really short night and I think he got me up early on purpose.

The sun was just starting to show and Joseph had started the coffee. I didn’t want to be bored again but what I really wanted was to send some pictures of this prison I was in so I figured the only thing I could do was fish. It was kind of cool. In less than an hour I caught nine fish and netted them myself. Dad was more excited than me and waded over to put his arm over my shoulder. Joseph helped me clean them and we had fried trout and eggs and fried, kind of burned, toast for breakfast. It was really kind of better than okay.

We caught lots more fish that week, went on an overnight in the canoe, saw moose and deer and watched a bear catch a fish. I got even more sunburned and we went skinny-dipping. We hardly saw any other people. Dad and Joe said I got to be a pretty good paddler and could even make fried eggs better than they did ‘cause I didn’t burn them. Maybe if I have to, and if Dad and Joe invite me I might even go next year but I’d still like to take my phone along. Oh, and the morning it rained, I found out why it’s smart to hang a tarp over the cookstove and table.

• R E C I P E •

Though the snowstorms of this past winter will never be forgotten, at least most of the white stuff has melted. Time now to get the grills out of storage and have some outdoor cooking fun while the daylight lengthens. Few years ago, AJ gave me a present of what I’d consider the “Bible of outdoor cookery,” Weber’s “Way to Grill.” Seem to rediscover it each year since about this time. Loaded with descriptions of “how to” and neat recipes, can’t help but take on some new experience. Here’re a few ideas from “Way to Grill” and one of my own.

Roasting a split chicken, put the split side down, then place a cast iron fry pan on top to hold the bird down and create a more even grilling. Handle makes for easier handling.......Recipe for Cornish Hens marinated in Bourbon, Honey, and Soy......My idea of grilling meat is a vinegar or alcohol base to tenderize and oil for the crisp. I’ve been marinating about 15 minutes in Balsamic Vinegar, pat dry then brush with high heat oil such as Grapeola, and black pepper.........Char-grilled Oysters with Gorgonzola-tomato sauce.....Way to Plank Salmon for that delightful smoky flavor....For a different take on ribs, and friends for dinner situation while housework is in progress, try the “Stacked Baby Back Ribs” Prep and marinade 50 minutes.......Have a beer for me!!

Fair Winds and Good Roads
– Lee Wilbur