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Peter sounds like my Daddy.

By the time me and my siblings could swim (three or four years old) Daddy had a Zebco 202 closed faced reel in our hands and had us on fish -- mostly bluegill, but as a kid I had the great fortune to live where I had the opportunity to tangle with a few trophy largemouth bass :)

Thanks to my Daddy.

Daddy also made sure we grew up close enough to a lake to walk to a fishing hole.

Daddy had five kids (and a few vices) and couldn't afford a boat, but he was one of the first in the country to fish in a float tube (when they were unheard of). Also, I have that old float tube now hanging in my fishing cabin.

He (years) later used a float tube to catch a national record freshwater drum (in the tube) and fish among alligators and in some heavy timber in Louisiana. I was there, the last Father's Day I spent with my Daddy his request was for all his kids to go fishing with him in Vinton, La.

One brother and myself showed up on the last Father's Day fishing trip, the two outlaws in the family. My sis sent a card, she never had time for Daddy.

I have photos of it, and memories that superceed any and all in my lifetime.

My Daddy taught me to fish, and enjoy simple things, like a bluegill (or bass, trout) sucking a fly or other topwater imitation off the surface of a lake/stream. He left me a few decades of memories of experiencing this --with him laughing and enjoying it more than I did.

And I can't imagine any better legacy, inheritance, than the lessons and love my Daddy gave to me.

I can't say "Happy Father's day to him, he passed away very young in the early 1980s.

If you are reading this, and your father is alive, take him fishing, or hug him or something.

BTW -- I am leaving Monday to take five kids (four of them city slickers and two modern day Davy Crockett's)fishing, along with two other woman.

I guess I'm like my Daddy, I have more fun watching a kid pull their first bluegill/bass out than the kids do.

And, I just invested in one Barbie rod and reel and two Zebco 202s (dang, I should be working for Zebco ;)

Thanks for the ping. That was a great article! I had that kind of childhood, too. My Grandpa was THE BEST FISHERMAN IN THE WORLD. He was infinately patient with me while I was learning, and he was thrilled when I'd catch more fish than he did (once in a very great while, LOL!)

I love Ben Stein. He's the one "famous" person in this world that I would really like to meet.

Saw him on "Your World" on FOX this morning after chores and he said we all need to stop worrying about our money for a few moments tomorrow and say a prayer for all the Dads that are away from home in Iraq (and elsewhere) that are away from their sons and daughters and wives and parents and siblings.

Ben Rocks! My husband and son are going fishing tomorrow to celebrate Fathers' Day. :)