Name : M. K. Martianos

Title: Fishing in Heaven

 

It seemed like only yesterday I was a small child going fishing with my dad on one of his favorite lakes in Minnesota. I looked out the window and couldn’t believe that a year had already passed since his death. I miss him so much. Looking at my children riding their bikes down the street I started to think about how fast they are growing up on me too.

The vacations we have had through the years didn’t seem to add up to anything special other than the usual tourist rip off adventure. I decided this was the year we were going to do a real up north vacation. We packed the car and traveled up to Three Island Lake, which isn’t that far from Bemidji.

I figured if things went bust with fishing we could always go explore the city. My kids didn’t seem enthused after all there would be no TV, no computer, no video games and no telephones.

Once there we checked in to our cabin and I rented a boat and motor and began to teach my children what my dad taught me years ago. They watched as I showed them how to tie knots and seemed eager to learn once they found out I had purchased them each their own rod and reel as well as tackle box. I taught them how to use the small motor and they listened carefully as I talked to them about boating safety.

We got out on the lake and began to troll. Each of the kids demanded to get their turn driving the boat. We watched the eagles soar among the trees and soon we had a stringer full of northerns and walleye to clean.

That night as we sat by the campfire I listened to my sons eagerly chatter about what lures they caught which fish on with not even a mention of a video game. They even asked me if they could get up early to do some morning fishing.

I decided it was all worth it. I think we really bonded this year on Three Island Lake and there is even talk of another vacation there next year.

I still miss my dad but the things he taught me make me believe he is still with me. I kind of think he is up fishing in the lakes in heaven now.