GONE Fishing — ‘It's not the size of the fish. It's the story that comes with it!’
Traditional Fishing in the Canadian Wild — Thanks Dad
My father was the most outstanding educator during my childhood. He imparted his wisdom and knowledge to me, shaping me into who I am today! I’m damn proud to be his son!
From straightforward life lessons to complex skills, he patiently guided me through every step. Whether tying my shoelaces or solving math problems, my father’s guidance was always there. His dedication and patience made learning an enjoyable experience, and I am forever grateful for the invaluable life lessons he taught me.
One of the most important lessons my father taught me was the value of hard work. He instilled in me a strong work ethic and taught me to never give up, no matter how challenging the task may be. He led by example, working tirelessly to provide for our family and showing me the rewards that come from perseverance.
The importance of dedication, discipline, and determination should always be taught by fathers but unfortunately not all dads are the same!
In addition to practical skills like the fisherman’s knot, my father also taught me important life values. The importance of honesty, integrity, and treating others with kindness and respect.
He emphasized the significance of empathy and has always encouraged me to consider the feelings and perspectives of others, my father was pivotal in my upbringing by teaching me everything I needed to know when I was little. From practical skills to life values, his guidance and teachings have impacted my life tremendously.
Traditional Fishing
Did you know that for less than fifty USD you could buy a kit off amazon?
Traditional fishing is a method of catching fish that has been around for centuries. It involves using simple tools and techniques to harvest fish from natural bodies of water such as rivers, lakes, and oceans.
My father taught me traditional fishing with an old broken pole, just like his father did for him. The closed-face push-button reel, and four sinkers for weight, no hook then I could practice casting all day while my dad was at work. There was nothing better then learning something from your father. I would be in the yard with that rod back and forth with the rod over my right shoulder- pushbutton-then boom; I remember my first actual cast like it was yesterday, which was probably around four years old.
This method of fishing relies on the knowledge and skills passed down through generations. Traditional fishing methods vary across cultures and regions, but they generally involve using all the same techniques.
Despite the advancements in modern fishing technology, traditional fishing continues to be an essential part of many communities worldwide, providing livelihoods and preserving cultural heritage. I saw traditional fishing form strong authentic bonds between two distinct yet different people. Its very connecting when you form relationships.
Outdoors is bonding as it is, so imagine you picking up a hobby like fishing!
My First Fishing Trip Surprise
At eleven, my father and I fished our whole state of Michigan. No lie, I was on my way home from school one day when I noticed my father was down by the mailbox waiting for me to get off the bus. I got off, and what I saw all over my dad’s face was pure excitement!
I have engaged in fishing on numerous occasions, as I said. However, one particular memory has left an indelible mark on my mind, so profound that not even death could erase it from my consciousness.
My father waved at the bus driver as she drove off down the road. I got on the back of the four-wheeler. The excitement on my dad’s face was still grinning ear to ear! I hopped on the back of the four-wheeler; my dad started it up while we took the back way home down the little trails, I was looking up in the sky noticing how the maple leaves were all falling like a feather.
I asked, “why do the leaves change colors.”
“They have to fall before the winter buddy, and thankfully we can live in such a beautiful place like this, not that many people in this world get to go out an enjoy the wilderness, the great lakes, the amazing fall photos, this is my favorite time of year buddy, We are almost home and I got a surprise for you”
He was about to turn down to the shed where we had parked our four-wheeler before, so I leaned to the right, but we turned left. I almost fell off and got caught off guard once again.
First by his excitement and happy-go-lucky feeling
Now I knew something was up because turning left while I was leaning to the right meant he wasn’t thinking straight he had something on his mind so I must just ask —
Dad, what is going …
“We are going to Canada to go fishing, buddy. I been saving up for this for years, and now, finally, we are all leaving tomorrow to take off! Is it a 12-hour drive in our truck though? That’s a long time, buddy you think you can handle that?”
Gone Fishing
You want to talk about the pure joy that I experienced once I heard my father say that we are going on a fishing trip together. My friends and I had a fishing contest going on between us at school, so it was perfect timing. All of us would bring in pictures of the fish we caught over the weekend, and I told my dad about this contest between my friends and I. He looked at my face in all seriousness and said,
“Try not to make this fishing trip all about who got the largest fish now bud” — Dad
You see, my father was saying competitive or not it’s not always about the biggest fish we catch or even what kind it is. It’s about the fishing story that we save in our memories that makes this trip worth it!
So much love my father had for me, which is why I will dedicate this whole story to him! The guy who taught me how to fish also taught me to respect through fishing that’s a powerful tradition!
We had just arrived at the motel on Lake Minnesota’ aye! Getting out of the vehicle looking at the enormous freshwater lake I was in total surprise! Looking at the water, I saw the bush planes all docked up near the hotel we were staying in. I ran over to my dad who was over checking in at the lobby. Running in I said —
“Dad did you see those planes that are floating on the water??”
“Yes, I did, buddy. We will be taking one off in them in the morning for a 25-minute flight to our main cabin that then we will be staying in on our whole private island.”
I was experiencing joy again. Now I knew getting off the bus why his smile was so big, almost falling off the four-wheeler like it all made sense to me now! The surprises he had for me just kept on coming!
All Aboard
Co-Pilot
I got offered first to co-pilot. The plane was gracefully sitting on the surface of the water. Witnessing the breathtaking views from such a unique vantage point, I will have to take that offer.
As I settled into the comfortable seat, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation for the adventure that awaited us.
The pilot looks back at the crew, saying “Everyone ready to go catch the fish of their life? Smiling ear to ear he handed me head gear an he started the plane!
In The Air
“Just under a half hour total”-Pilot
The views from up above were phenomenal! We embarked on a journey North onward to Trout Lake!
Trout Lake is in Canada, the lake’s immense size offers ample space for fishing enthusiasts to explore and cast their lines. Its crystal-clear waters are teeming with a variety of fish species, making it a prime location for anglers seeking a memorable catch. That’s where I'm bringing you all on this memorable story! The biggest catch I ever had!
Let me tell you about our arrival at the cabins from up above this Lodge we were about to stay in for a week had one long dock with eighteen boats. All the boats had numbers on the side of them. I looked at the pilot and said —
“Wow, we can take boats out fishing too? I have never done that before, fishing from a boat. I thought we were just going out offshore like we always did back home.”
I was eager to get out now that’s for sure
Boat Boxes
They have been an all exclusive resort so they had workers there that set up a boxes for the boats daily and what was in those boxes was everything we needed to make ourselves a shore lunch!
I asked one of the workers what Shore lunch was he gave me a good definition-
“There are multiple different islands you can stop and start a fire at. Normally walleye fish in the mornings and eat the walleye you caught. People go back out after lunch to catch Lake Trout or northern. You can use the walleye fat/skin leftover from lunch to use as bait for the big fish!”
Box included:
- bread
- Lard/butter
- Pans
- Potatoes
- Shore lunch branded breading for crispy fish lovers!
Shore Lunch Some Walleyes
10 minutes later —
Fishing for Canadian walleyes offers numerous benefits. These were highly sought after by all anglers due to their delicious taste and challenging nature. The thrill of reeling in a walleye is known for its strong fight, no fish could be matched.
“Walleyes are abundant in Canadian waters, providing ample opportunities for successful fishing trips for any father-son team. The sport of walleye fishing also contributes to local economies; that’s what attracted us tourists, generating revenue for businesses such as fishing lodges and tackle shops. That’s what this species of fish brought to the Canadian land.” — Lodge owner
Canadian walleyes include enjoying a thrilling sport, economic contributions, and the opportunity to appreciate the country’s natural wonders. We had a whole week here at this beautiful place!
Here in Canada fishing, we had caught our limit of walleye by lunchtime. It was unrealistic just how starving these fish seemed to be, and Now it was time to find an island to start the process of what we called shoreline lunches!
- Find Island Nearby
- Bring up our shore lunch box
- Peel potatoes
- Clean fish- collecting walleye fat for Lake Trout
- Eat
- Evening Fishing was for Northern & Lake Trout
Lake Trout Story
Back at the lodge there was a man by the named of Reggi. Reggi had a great sense of humor, as my dad always chuckled at him laughing at his own jokes.
The joke was that he would be authentic in the week’s biggest fish contest. He told my dad and I about Lake Trout fishing. He reminded us —
“This lake was known for the massive Lake Trout; few people knew where to go or what to do. Consider yourselves lucky when I give you these three pointers that one old timer told me when I was your son’s age. I wanted to win every fish contest my friends an I always had”
Now listening to him just reminded me of the fishing contest going on back at school. I asked my father —
“Did you know a contest Is fun to be involved in, and it’s not about winning its about attending”
My Epic Fail
My dad after our shore lunch suggest I drive this boat for our evening adventure Lake Trout fishing. We backed off the shoreline, and I would like to remind myself and others that this boat didn’t have a steering wheel. It had a steering post. You had to sit in the back while turning right you steered left and vise versa.
I could not see very well in the front of our boat. My dad told me to STOP then said —
“A moose is swimming across the water, wow is that a beautiful picture right there grab the camera hurry! Actually son you know not everything has to be a picture. You can enjoy this and make a memory and even write a story about this later on in life. That’s what memories are all about!”
We drove off the shoreline to go out into the 100 ft deep areas where the Lake Trout man told us we would catch one
- I threw on a piece of walleye fat, a huge jig and let it go all the way to the bottem.
- The three tips my good old friend taught us back at the lodge.
I was sitting there talking with my dad when all of a sudden my pole went straight downward like I had gotten a snag. We were not trolling so I was a little confused at first.
Dad I have this snag will you try to unhook it for me?
While I was about to give him my pole and reel the pole jerked down. FISH ON! FISH ON!!! I had been just tricked by the Trout EXACTLY LIKE the angler told me.
“You will be fishing for Trout when all of sudden you will think you have nothing on your line but a bunch of dead weight. This kind of fish don’t fight as hard as Walleyes.” — Reggie
Man Vs. FISH
With its sleek body and powerful fins, the Trout fights fiercely once seeing the boat, I never knew though this was my first. Otherwise, it’s like reeling in an anchor. The moment the Trout takes the bait, the line tightens, and the struggle begins.
The angler must carefully maneuver that rod, using a combination of strength and finesse to tire out that Trout so the other gut netting it has a easy-going time. As that fish thrashed and dived deeper after almost reeling it in I got discouraged. The angler must maintain a steady grip, anticipating its every move. I was tired out I asked my father to take over to try to get it in the boat but my dad said —
“You must never give up Derek no matter what the fight is in the fish, if you don’t get him up to the boat next time I’ll take over”
Finally, after a grueling battle, the Trout emerged from the water again. It was glistening in the sunlight, looking so BIG.
Moment of triumph, a testament to the angler’s perseverance and determination. Exactly like Reggie was saying — “Reeling in a lake Trout is an exhilarating experience that leaves the angler with a sense of accomplishment and a lasting memory of the thrill of the chase.”
Fishing with my father was a transformative experience that taught me far more than just the traditional techniques.
As you read my story by chance, did you realize how much heart my old man got toward others? You notice the way he taught me it’s never the size of the fish. It’s the size of the stories that go along with the adventure. I’m very glad I have my Medium community to share this story with you all on the New Outdoors! The stories on this publication are amazing! Ray Wirth is the creator of this publication and he deserves to feel great about the ways he spreads hope to bring children back out into the wilderness instead of their stupid dummy phones… I really appreciate you Ray thank you sir!
Perfect time for me to tell you your supplies for traditional fishing before this story ends so you can go out an have a fishing trip of your life!
- Go FISH
- Fishing pole/reel. Push button release for beginners
- Bait/ click the link for a complete guide on what species eats what.
- Extra tackle/ Bass Pro Shops or Cabela's
Thank you to everyone who enjoyed my true story.