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Lake Erie Charter Captain Dave Adams of D & D Charters answers questions and provides tips and insights into fishing the region.
If you would like to Ask the Captain a question, please click HERE.
June 24, 2003
Fishing can smooth out the rough days of life
Today, I was looking over emails for my Ask the Captain column. But it was one of those stressful days (I had to work and couldn't fish Lake Erie). I couldn't write, either. So, I visited the fisherie.com discussion board and found one of my previous posts, which I asked:
"Why do you fish?"
This response was written by, The Cripp, on May 23, 2003
- "One day, after I got out of the hospital and was walking by a stream, I looked down off of a bridge and saw a man with his Zebco bent from tip to almost handle. The reel was makin zzzzzzzz noise and man was into a hefty carp. Instantly my curiosity was tickled. So I continued to watch. Wow, I had to have me some of that action!"
"See I was dropped off at a crippled children's hospital when I was 16 months and didn't get out till I was 16 years old. I had never known what fishing was till this day. The fisherman said, 'Hey wanna try carpin?' I was doing the 'zombie stomp' all the way to the stream."
"When I got to the stream, this man offered me his rod and said, 'Let me put some corn on for ya,' I was asking, if it was possible to catch a carp? This guy who later became Cripps life-long friend said, 'You just wait and see.' I saw the rod tip bouncing. Feller said, 'Set the hook!' I will NEVER EVER forget the feeeeeeel of that huge fish on the end of that Zebco outfit. Wow!"
"So, I stuck around for a long time."
"Then heard my name being yelled. It was Momma. She was in state of distress because her baby brother drowned when she was little. She freaked because I was at the water. She scolded me good!"
"It was some more years before I was allowed to fish, but for a brief moment in my life I was taken to the water!"
"It was like flash in sky at night, brief, but fishing shined! I have been made fun of all my life, but what fishing has done for me is this. I have met a lot of cool folks over the years, relationships that will last to my last days on the planet. Fishing enabled me to be one of the guys, not someone to laugh and make fun of. Fishing has been my life. Fishing has made my heart sing!"
"But if I was to say what was the most exciting fishing moment in my life has been, I'd say it was getting to know all of you guy's, here on FishUSA. For all of you have made the world a better place for me to be! Do ya see? So when you guys are on the stream and listening to the sound of the water passing over the rocks, feel the hit of the fish on the end of line, or feel the rhythm of your pulse quickening to the feel of the fish pulling on the end of the line, Cripp will be there with you!"
"Hard to believe a fish could give someone such a rush, but they do! TOAST (raised glass of milk) To those that have allowed the Cripp to share with you in the name of fishing, forever grateful, forever hooked!"
"Remember me well, for I shall never forget you."
Thank you Cripp. I will raise a glass (scotch, though) as I share this from The Three-Day Blow, written by Ernest Hemingway. He describes two men sitting in front of the fireplace during a three-day storm and the importance of fishing, friends, and a warm fire.
Bill had poured out the drinks.
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"That's an awfully big shot," Nick said.
"Not for us, Wemedge," Bill said.
"What'll we drink to?" Nick asked, holding up the glass.
"Let's drink to fishing," Bill said.
"All right," Nick said. "Gentlemen, I give you fishing."
"All fishing," Bill said. "Everywhere."
"Fishing," Nick Said. "That`s what we drink to."
"It's better than baseball," Bill said.
"There isn't any comparison," said Nick. "How did we ever get talking about baseball?"
"It was a mistake," Bill said. "Baseball is a game for louts."
They drank all that was in their glasses.
My day is now much better because The Cripp and Hemingway took me fishing. Time, however, is running short and the scotch is dulling my senses. For now, I`ll leave this column to these two fine writers. But I`ll write the next one.
Good Fishing,
Capt. Dave Adams
Dave Adams is an author and professional charter captain who operates D & D Charters on the Pennsylvania waters of Lake Erie.
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