Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 45
At first, I had to coach him not to
reel it back right away. He is always
quick to crank.
"Let it sit. We need to give the fish
time to find the bait. Just be patient,
buddy. You are doing awesome," I
said with fatherly encouragement.
He took my advice, and I watched
his line settle near the middle of the
pool. Moments later, while chatting
with fellow anglers, I glanced at
Foster's rod tip, which bounced
subtly at first and then bounced
again rapidly.
"Set your hook. You have a fish
on there," I said excitedly as I rushed
to help him secure the fish. "Reel
buddy, reel!"
He was giggling and squealing as
he bore down on the reel's handle. I
soaked in the innocent look of joy
and anticipation on his face as the
drag worked on the trout. He was
The author hands over the rod to his determined 3-year-old son after making the first cast.
having a blast, and so was his dad.
When the fish splashed to the
surface and dove again, both our eyes widened. We only
into the stained water, but there was no mistaking the
caught a quick glimpse before the fish disappeared again
distinct color at the end of Foster's line-bright orange. I
could not believe it.
I quickly snapped into action and grabbed
the net as my 3-year-old reeled in the fish of his
dreams-a golden rainbow trout. Several tense
seconds later, the fish was cleanly netted and
wriggling on the wooden deck boards. My son
was so excited that he jumped up and down, his
footsteps echoing my pounding heart.
I hugged my little boy and smiled in disbelief.
"Do you realize what you have just done?" I
asked proudly. "I caught my golden rainbow!"
he proclaimed with a grin larger than his little
body. "And, we are going to mount him." Who
was I to disappoint?
My son's fish was promptly dropped off at
the local taxidermist, so this special memory
could be preserved for the both of us. The
taxidermist was kind enough to finish it in time
for Christmas, and it now hangs on Foster's
bedroom wall.
Fishing has a way of strengthening a bond
between loved ones, and I am grateful for the
opportunity to share this experience with my
son. The weather may have been less than ideal,
and it was the only bite we received during our
frigid hour at the stream, but I would not change
a thing.
Foster wished he would catch a golden rainbow trout to mount for his
The father-son moment we shared together
wall. He made good on the catch, and Bruce Wilson's Taxidermy, Lebanon,
was just like Foster's fish-pure gold.
helped fulfill the second half of his wish.
www.fishandboat.com
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * March/April 2020
45
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020
Contents
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - Cover1
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - Cover2
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - Contents
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 4
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 5
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 6
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 7
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 8
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 9
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 10
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 11
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 12
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 13
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 14
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 15
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 16
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 17
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 18
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 19
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 20
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 21
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 22
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 23
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 24
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 25
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 26
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 27
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 28
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 29
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 30
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 31
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 32
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 33
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 34
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 35
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 36
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 37
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 38
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 39
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 40
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 41
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 42
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 43
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 44
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 45
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 46
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 47
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 48
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 49
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 50
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 51
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 52
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 53
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 54
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 55
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 56
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 57
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 58
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 59
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 60
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 61
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 62
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 63
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - Cover3
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - Cover4
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