Thought I'd save something worthwhile for this milestone.

Over the years, this piscatorial pursuit has had such a profound effect on my life that it's hard to imagine any aspect of my day-to-day activities that it has not touched. The anticipation of preparing for a fishing trip, the challenge of making the critters bite, the thrill of a hot fish on the other end of the line, the elation when a big wild platinum snow-belly comes to hand, the satisfaction of seeing it swim away, the beauty of the natural surroundings, the camaraderie, the fond memories forever etched in my mind... priceless.

Then there's the frustration of fish politics... made tolerable only by the sweet vindication that occurs in those rare instances where the fish actually win.

But what overshadows all of that is the opportunity to share the passion with one of my own. I've been blessed with four daughters that have indulged their fishing-addicted dad through out the seasons. Along the way, they've all morphed into very able fisher-girls. My last one is growing up so fast that it seems the opportunities to share those precious times are slipping by like water thru my fingers. Oh, if I could just make time stand still... for just a little while.

But time marches on... and relentlessly at that. Try as we might, it's impossible to save. It can only be spent. So spend it wisely. My wish is that when I look back 10 or 20 years from now, I can say I did just that. And that I spent it with the ones that mean most to me.

Your evolution as a passionate angler is not complete until you've come full circle and passed the fire on to the next generation. It's with that sentiment that I dedicate this post to my youngest, 8 yr old Emi (aka Little Miss Wood Shampoo). It wasn't even four years ago that she caught her first real fish. Like so many of us, it all started with a hatchery rainbow trout, but with each passing year she has continued to one-up her prior season, adding more species and bigger specimens to her angling resume. I'll leave you all with this pic parade of a budding fish-slaying machine. Won't be long before she's showing the old man how it's done.

2004... first hatchery trout


2004... LMWS earning her moniker


2005... first king


2005... first China Rock


2005... first hatchery coho


2006... biggest hatchery rainbow


2006... first wild rainbow


2006... first wild coho

If you can put a price tag on it...it is worthless.

If you can't put a price tag on it...it is worth everyting in the world.



Thanks for sharing now and through the years.

JimB

Nice post FnP. And it's her generation to whom we'll pass the wild and native cold water anadromous fish advocacy torch. I'm teaching my girls the ropes these days too,

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Super, Doc! Just super!

Nice post!!! I cant wait til I am able to take my daughter out and let her school all the other boys on the river!! As of now she is only 9 monthe old, but she sits there intently watching her old man tie up leader and respool reels. I am counting the days til she can go out with me. Again very nice post and pics!!!!!

Thank you Fishing FNP, very insightful and touching....One of the best post I've seen.

It's posts like this that keep me coming back. Thank you Very Much.

You are a darn good Daddy! I hope you are as good a FISHERMAN.

They're all good, but "2006.... In LMWS We Trust!" get's my vote.

Born2Bonk

Wow, got my first one coming in three months. Hope I get teh chance to do the same with my little girl. Nice job

I like the shots of the little one with the club in her hand looking to whack something..... :>) You're posts are some of the most interesting on PP. Keep it up Doc!

[quote=I kinda feel sorry for the future boyfriends who will be judged by father AND daughter on his angling skills.

[/quote]


I pray to god that I have that oppurtunity with my daughter. That is some good stuff there FnP. It'll be my daughters first year out this spring. Just taught her how to cast last week in the field across the street. She has it down pretty good. I am getting more excited about it than she I think.

Great photos.. You should be proud of yourself...

Keith

Great post Doc! My son is now 21 and my daughter is 16. We have enjoyed more than a day or two on the water. My daughter is not as interested in time on the water as her brother, but I have found that if she can bring a friend they seem to get her excited about going out. My son loves to fish, the only problem is he is pretty been spoiled by catching salmon since he was little and doesn't get as excited about the ones that don't tip the scales past the mid teens. I still enjoy the time on the water with them and hope to continue to do so for many years.

Awesome post!!!

Inspiring for me in that I already have 2 daughters (just about 5, and just about 2) plus we have another one due sometime between right now and two weeks from right now.

I agree with you whole-heartedly that you have to seize every moment you can, not just with the people you hold dear, but with yourself. Nobody has ever looked back on their life and said "Man I sure am glad I stayed home to spray the driveway and wash the cars that day." Or even worse "I sure am glad I decided to go into the office instead of taking the kids to the lake." Money and stuff are renewable resources, time is not.

Always a pleasure to read your posts Francis. With the stories and photos you've collected and shared with us over the years, giving us pause to reflect, you may have indeed stopped time for all of us--just a little Thank you.

Good Job Dad!

Awesome job keeping the kids involved and sharing your passion, Francis. I haven't been posting much because my interests are elsewhere right now, but I believe keeping kids involved in the outdoors is of paramount importance. I finally bought my daughters snowboards and took them up for their first time on Sunday, and I was impressed. I even got the new girlfriend on a snowboard.

Sharing quality times with family and friends is a big part of life.

Thanks for sharing.