55+ Living Guide Magazine Spring/Summer 2018 Spring 2018 | Page 50

The Vine
BY FRANK BUCK
It’s been said that doing what you like is freedom and liking what you do is pure happiness.
When I was a kid, come April 1st, excitement swelled in the house because we were going trout
fishing. Rain, sleet or snow never stopped us. My Dad would make some tasty sandwiches and pack
a thermos of coffee and we were off with other friends to our secret fishing spots. It was ritualistic
and so much fun. Dad had a way of making those sandwiches and I miss them to this day, they
were heavenly. So, I guess you can say, I got bit by the fishing bug early in life and have been
very lucky ever since to have met up with a cast of characters that love to wet a line.
I’ve had the good fortune of catching a 125 lb. Tarpon in the Florida Keys, a 26 lb. Catfish on Lake
Champlain and not to mention some big Walleyes too. I’ve fly fished for Salmon on the Gaspe
Peninsula and Trout all over the Adirondacks. It’s been a great adventure, but nothing and I mean
nothing compares to fishing with my Grandson Luke. It could be from our dock at home, at our
camp or from the deck of our pontoon fishing boat. The time spent with this guy is immeasurable.
Now I must admit, he’s a bit like me, if the fish aren’t biting he gets a little antsy. Can you blame
him? Catching fish is fun and when he gets one on, look out, he’s in heaven and so am I.
This guy loves to fish, and his excitement level exceeds mine at that age. I’ve got to say, watching
this kid is precious. For being new to the game he’s been a fast study. He’s got perseverance for
hours on end and its paid off with some very nice fish. He now has a growing collection of fishing
poles and lures and is fast becoming a good storyteller on his own.
It seems but yesterday, I was holding him in my arms at the hospital shortly after he was born
and here he is now, catching up to me, telling stories. Time flies by fast, too fast! But it does seem
to pass a little slower when we are out on the water spending time together. Making memories
has become our number one priority, it should be all of ours.
Some folks say to stop and smell the roses, we say its time to stop the boat and catch some fish.
So, if fishing isn’t your thing, its OK, find something that works for you and your grandchildren
and start making memories. You must fill your life with action, don’t wait for it to happen.
For happiness is found when you give your love freely to those you truly love.
Tight lines... we don’t want these memories to get away.
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