A Fishy Tale

W

hen I was a young teenager, about 14, it seemed every bod and his dog went fishing. My Dad would set off early on a Sunday morning and head for mid-Wales and the River Lugg. Coincidently, not far from where we live now.

Gone Fishing

His love was game fishing as opposed to coarse fishing. The difference being that game fishing is trying to catch Salmon and Trout while coarse fishing is trying to catch anything from Barbel to Gudgeon. I know, I have no idea what they are either. He was always on to me to go with him, an exercise in bonding and eventually I succumbed and joined him on one occasion. I say one because I never went again. As a 14-year-old, there’s no way I was going to get out of bed at 4:00 am on a Sunday morning for anyone, including if the house was on fire.

What A Rigmarole

One of the reasons for recalling this episode is the fact that I hated every nanosecond of the fishing experience. Spending the day with my Dad was priceless, but I found the rigmarole of setting up the fishing rods, messing with worms, maggots and fly hooks so tedious. We arrived at 6:00 am and the sun was out but it was cool. From the off, my poor old Dad was trying to motivate my interest in all the intricacies of catching a Rainbow Trout. How they could be hiding under the tree on the opposite bank, what size fly to use, how to cast without surprising them and so on.

We Caught Nothing!

Perhaps I was a bad omen on the day as, by lunchtime, we had not caught one fish. My Dad kept trying different methods, none of which I understood and he kept saying, “We’ll get one in a minute, you wait and see.” Unfortunately, or fortunately, if you’re a Trout, he didn’t catch a single fish. No matter what he tried, the result was the same, nothing! This went on until around 2:00 pm when he decided enough was enough and we should pack up and go home. Secretly, I was happy to be on our way, but I could see he was disappointed. I helped pack the car and then we left for home.

The Fishmongers

As we drove out of the field, my Dad said, “I’ve just got to call into a shop in Presteigne.” I thought he must want some cigarettes or sweets, but to my surprise, we pulled up outside the local fishmongers. I stayed in the car while he popped inside. Five minutes later he came out with two Rainbow Trout fish in greaseproof paper. He stopped to show me and then placed them in the boot of the car. “I daren’t go home empty-handed, your mother will box my ears! Don’t you say a word to her when we get home.” I couldn’t believe it! Here was my hero and he was cheating.

End Of The Day

The 2-hour drive home was very quiet. I was still surprised, but I could see why he had done such a thing, to justify his day out fishing. Back home and sure enough, Dad told my Mom that we had both enjoyed the day and how pleased I was that we had managed to catch two fish. I remember nodding and smiling in agreement but saying nothing. Later on, as I made my way to bed, my Mom caught me on the landing and whispered in my ear, “Goodnight sweetheart, did your Father really catch those fish or did he stop at the shop and buy them?” I couldn’t believe my ears. She knew all along. Being diplomatic, I said he caught one and bought the other. She winked and I made my way to bed, I’d been up since 4:00 am.

If you’re interested in finding out more about game fishing, here’s a link.

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40 Comments
  • SueW
    March 13, 2020

    Another funny tale, and an enjoyable one. ????

    • Trev
      March 13, 2020

      As always, thank you, Sue. ????

  • What a top piece of life. Made me smile.

    • Trev
      March 13, 2020

      Thank you, I’m glad it made you smile. 🙂

  • Peter's pondering
    March 13, 2020

    What type of lure did he use to catch the chips?

    • Trev
      March 13, 2020

      Lol, Peter. I have no idea. 🙂 Thank You

  • jimflanigan
    March 13, 2020

    Your answer to your mom showed the wisdom of Solomon at age 14.

    • Trev
      March 13, 2020

      A born diplomat, Jim. 🙂 Thank you.

  • Tony
    March 14, 2020

    I used to love fishing. I wasn’t very good at it and blamed everything from dog walkers to boats to the weather for my failures, but I still went every week. Great post Trev.

    • Trev
      March 14, 2020

      I did have a go when I was older, but I used to hate catching the fish. I always found them difficult to handle. I did love the summer days on the river banks though. Thank you, Tony. 🙂

  • Mustafa Güçlü
    March 16, 2020

    fishing! it seems so good in your photo and text. i think i’ll start soon!

    • Trev
      March 16, 2020

      Thank you, yes, it’s quite relaxing and fun, but not for me. 🙂

  • Charme Haut®
    March 18, 2020

    <3

    • Trev
      March 18, 2020

      Thank you, Charme.

  • Hope
    March 19, 2020

    The lunker the story – the lunker the fish! ????????????

    • Trev
      March 19, 2020

      Ha!! Thank you again, Hope. ????

  • charlypriest
    March 20, 2020

    So you hated fishing with dad… I wanted to go fishing like the american dream to go fishing or play ball or something with my dad, didn´t happen, not in him. I know he love me in his own way, I went my way.
    By the way if you really saw the last video I posted it was me for fun, kind of weird really, I think they took this out of some game thing kids play, I could go on in specifics but shouldn´t. Just drunky me, but fishing… or even do something with dad, never happened, my mother fullfilled those roles, and growing up I knew how much he could do and he did a lot for me, so I can´t expect the man to be how I wanted. Not happening. Still love the man.
    And love ya too.

    • Trev
      March 20, 2020

      I hated fishing, in fact, I have a dislike for most things sport. Thanks for the comments, I appreciate it Charly. 🙂

  • Misteryously
    March 20, 2020

    Sorry Trev I saw now that your posts don’t appear in my reader….ough….so sorry.

    • Trev
      March 20, 2020

      Don’t be sorry, but thank you for your comments. 🙂

  • Paulie
    March 22, 2020

    What a great story. I’ve often been tempted to stop at the market to bring home a catch after being “skunked.” You know it isn’t lying if you have have the fishmonger throw you the fish.

    • Trev
      March 22, 2020

      Thank you, Paulie. ????

  • lorriebowden
    March 22, 2020

    Now that is a fishy tale! 😉 There’s something about going fishing with your Dad…I remember going but I wanted NOTHING to do with putting the bait on the line…or taking the fish off the line! I was a pretty lucky fishergirl…many times I caught the biggest. My uncle would say, “You gotta hook em’ to catch em’ to eat em'” Thanks for sharing…and I am not surprised your Mom knew the whole time!

    • Trev
      March 22, 2020

      Thank you, Lorrie. That was me really, hated messing with maggots and worms and such things. ????????

  • varjakBaby
    March 23, 2020

    Thanks for liking my posts.

    • Trev
      March 23, 2020

      You’re welcome ????

  • Paradise1
    March 25, 2020

    U tried ur best. What can you do?

    • Trev
      March 25, 2020

      Not a lot, thank you 🙂

  • Jasodhara Batabyal
    March 25, 2020

    Loved it. Please check out my blog as well.

    • Trev
      March 25, 2020

      Thank you and I will do. 🙂

  • mitchteemley
    March 25, 2020

    Fun story, Trev. Makes me wonder if anyone has ever really caught a fish, or if it’s all just a well-maintained myth. What is this “fishing” thing, really?

    • Trev
      March 26, 2020

      Thank you, Mitch. You raise a valid point. I think it’s all a little fishy ????

  • SHRUTI DUBEY
    March 26, 2020

    If I ever get a chance even I would love to try fishing sometimes. It must be fun.????

    • Trev
      March 26, 2020

      Well, there are plenty of people who enjoy it, but it’s not for me ????

  • vhealing
    April 6, 2020

    Smiling out loud Trev, I hear you! You’ve made me happy, to know that I’m not the only one who hates fishing

    • Trev
      April 6, 2020

      Thank you, Victoria. ????

    • Sunshiny SA, Kavitha
      April 29, 2020

      I dislike fishing. Been with hubby fishing. First time, i caught a decent sized fish. He was bursting with joy until I said to throw it back. He argued. I cried. He threw it back. Second time, he asked me to cut bait. My look said it all. Never invited back.

  • Craig White
    April 13, 2020

    Superb my friend ????????????????

    • Trev
      April 13, 2020

      Thank you, Craig. 🙂