Goin' Fishing

About a month ago my kids told me that they wanted to go fishing with me, which is interesting because I've never been fishing, and I've never expressed an interest in fishing, but they were adamant, so we talked about it, and I promised them I would do it, as long as they started sleeping in their own beds. My children are the world champion co-sleepers. They will find a bed with someone in it and climb in. It could be the bogey man himself sleeping over, and they're in his bed.

I am the kind of guy that does a lot of research on everything, especially new things. Before I start a new project or hobby I'll read books, I'll go on the internet, I'll talk to everyone I can. The more information I can acquire on something the more comfortable I feel doing it. I think I've pretty much been this way my whole life. I've been banned from remodeling parts of the house because I'm spending more time planning and reading then the actual execution should take.

This time shouldn't be any different in my mind. I'm a rank amateur, and I need some guidance. So I called some local shops and asked the people on the phone to gauge who I should see in person. I settled on going to the BassPro Megastore in Harrisburg, not only because the guys on the phone were nice, but also because it's a very cool store.

On Wednesday I traveled there to talk to someone in person.

The guy I ended up talking to, Jim, was awesome. He was excited, he was enthusiastic, he wasn't condescending. He was very patient, and answered all of my questions, even the second time I asked them. He talked to the kids, who were with me, and I felt great after talking to him. That was, until I asked:

"So, do they have like a book where I can read about fishing and learn something about it."
Jim just looked at me like I'd asked him if I could hook a turkey.
"You know, something that will identify the fish and give me some pointers."
"Well..." he paused for a minute.
"I mean, if you don't..."
"Well when you register for your license you'll get a guide from the State about fish identification and things like that."
"Oh that'll be great! Exactly what I need"
"But really, you don't need a book." He leaned in closer to me and lowered his voice just a notch. "Just go out there and give it a try."

I thought about that for a while and considered what Jim had to say. The words turned over and over in my head for a while, and I kept playing with them like a loose tooth. Just go out and try it? I can't do that can I?

Why not? I am, I decided. I'm going to get my rod and supplies before the kids get theirs, and I'll going to teach myself the best I can so I'm ready for them when they go out with me. I'm excited and nervous, but then, it's only fishing, and really, I'm going to be the only one out there, so if I make a total fool of myself, I'm okay with that.

And to be honest, if most of the seasoned vets are as nice and knowledgeable as Jim, I'm going to be fine.

But I will point out one website that Google served up to me one day out of the blue. TakeMeFishing.org has got to be the greatest resource I've ever seen for beginning a new hobby. It's a great site, and before I talked to Jim, I'd pretty much picked the site clean.

What can I say? Some habits die hard.