I have so many, it's hard to narrow it down (I'm 30 and my Dad is still my main fishing partner, so every trip is a memorable one.) My Dad and I have been taking a yearly fishing trip together for a week in October every year since I've been about 6 or 7. The one I remember most was about 3 years ago. It's only him and I and we're staying in his cabana on the Wynoochee River. I can remember that wonderful smell of frying bacon and drying waders as I await breakfast. All my worries slip away as I sit drinking my coffee and bs'n with my Dad about the hope of the days coming events. I can remember the smile on his face as we anticipated a run of kings that we were sure had stockpiled awaiting some fresh rain. We dressed in our gear in an almost ceremonious rhythm and headed out the door to hit the slot, watching as the sun started to peak over the hillside. I could see the chill in the air as we both exhaled. My fondest memory of the day wasn't the fish we caught (I hit a king and a chum, my Dad a king), it was our conversation. We were both relaxed and discussing old fishing trips. Talking about our canceled trip years ago on the Toutle (same day the mountain blew, which would have really screwed up my fishing career since Mt St Helens blew the wrong direction is was supposed to), and mostly about our old week long fishing trips in June for cuts and bows on the Olympic Peninsula (going to work for UPS cut away my summer vacations). It was a wonderful day, good fishing, even better company. We ended out the night sitting around a campfire drinking coffee and reliving the fish we caught that day and remembering more fishing excursions from the past. My kids fish with me more and more. They're at the age now they can go with me on my cat on certain rivers safely. I'm hoping that they keep that spark to have a rod in their hands and their Dad with them to experience it with them. I feel tradition should be passed on, but not forced. I pray they keep that love of fishing the way I have.....

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you haven't lived til you're rowed a cataraft. Friends don't let friends run Outcasts.