First Fish With Gramps - Both Audio and Text - W-Illustration

I didn’t even know about the trip we were to make. That very first adventure that old Gramps and I would take, I’ll not forget the way it felt when I first saw the lake. The sunrise made the water seem a blinding sheet of brass, As Grampa told me, “Stephen…let’s try catchin’ us some bass,” As we headed for the boat with two old rods…some bait…and gas. He yanked the old boat’s motor, then threw off the weathered rope. I asked, “Hey Gramps, want me to drive?” He smiled and chuckled, “Nope. Well…maybe once we’re out a ways.” My heart went wild with hope. Whenever Gramps said, “maybe” I would usually get my wish, And as we felt the gentle morning breeze…so clean…so fresh, I said a secret prayer that we would catch a ton of fish. A good way out, at last, he asked me, “Son, you wanna steer?” I climbed up on his lap, and he could sense a trace of fear. He hugged me close to comfort me, his love was very clear. “There’s nothin’ to it, little man…just take ‘er nice and slow. You see that old dead tree right there? That’s where we wanna go, ‘Cause that there little weedy spot’s one o’ the best I know. He helped me cast a line in, then he said, “Be very still. Remember…there’s no hurry, boy. We’ve got all day to kill. We’re lookin’ to catch some big ones, an’ I promise you…we will.” I was like a statue, when he whispered soft to me, “I know you’re gonna catch a monster…you just wait an’ see,” And I just sat there grinning, as excited as could be. That tiny bobber, in no time at all, began to dance. At first it sort of hypnotized me. I was in a trance When Gramps would holler, “Yank ‘er son!” I knew it was my chance. And when the bobber disappeared my heart was pounding fast. The fight was on as I was praying somehow I could last, And Gramps slid near to help and said, “You sure know where to cast. “Now careful, son, if he’s too big the boat just might upset.” Then all but hollered, “He’s a big one…better use the net. Holy cow…now that might be the best we ever get.” My mind was turning somersaults…the fish seemed really big. “If you can land a fish like this,” he said, “I’d better dig My very finest lure out of the box…my ‘lucky jig.’” Now Grandpa’s lucky jig was one I’d never seen him loan. He’d always say, “Now this here jig’s the very best I own.” And I am still the only one that I have ever known Who got to use his lucky jig. That was a special day. And now it’s mine -- and it gets used -- and in the same old way, ‘Cause I remember Grandpa’s words…“This jig ain’t for display. “It’s meant for catchin’ monster fish. It’s meant for havin’ fun. And if it’s still around when your old Grampa’s fishin’’s done, It will go to you, my boy…because I love you, son.” We sat beneath that tree for hours. It was his favorite nook, And that was where he taught me how to tie and bait a hook. It never mattered what we caught, or how much time it took. I always throw a line in there. It’s still my favorite place. I pray all folks with little ones can slip out of - "the race" And get the chance to see the look that Gramps saw on my face. Today - what seemed a lake - is but a pond…so very small. And I suspect that “monster fish” was not so big at all, But that first fish - with Gramps - is still my favorite to recall.