Early days

Fishing for me was an occasional thing as a kid. Our farm house was located about a quarter mile from a drainage ditch which ran through the property. I refer to the farm as ours, but in fact, we rented it. The ditch ran along the entire west border to the north border of the farm and split a two acre field from the rest of the farm. Although it laid across much of the farm, the real fishing was done along the north side, from the bridge, to the “deep part”. Fishing was best in the deep part where another ditch joined the main drainage. Initially Dad would rig cane poles for us to use along with cork bobbers. We used old steel fastener nuts for weight, and always used earth worms for bait. We called them "dew worms".

The fish were typical drainage ditch species, that is, they could survive in shallow dirty water. We usually caught yellow bullhead catfish, but occasionally we would hook a carp. I really didn’t enjoy fishing much. It was often boring and too hot. Bullheads have bony projections tipped with venom on their pectoral fins and would “horn” you if you weren’t careful. You had to cover them with a towel or heavy rag just to remove the hook. We often brought the fish home in a five gallon bucket and put the bullheads into the water tanks used by the hogs. They could survive in dirty mucky water.  I can’t recall ever eating one.

1^st Ruined Rod 

My younger brother, Steve, really was the one most interested in fishing. He would often go fishing alone. His interest caused him to obtain  an authentic fishing rod and reel. I am not sure if my parents  bought it for  him or he bought it. The rod was steel, and the reel was a bait caster. It was certainly easier to carry than the cane poles, and even had regular weights and hooks. It was with this rod and reel, that I caught my first memorable fish.

Why I had Steve’s rod and reel, I don’t recall. It was common for my older brother, Ron, and me to pick on him, so I would guess I just took it without his knowledge or permission. I regret those times we were so mean. Steve did not deserve it.  He became a kind and understanding adult in spite of his older brothers.

That day I was using it near the bridge, when I hooked a fish. It was so large, I could not reel it in. This was probably because I didn’t know about setting the drag, anti-reverse, or other technical features of a fishing reel. I was so excited about the fish, but couldn’t figure how to get it to shore.

 My solution was the put the rod over my shoulder and walk up the bank dragging the fish behind. This method was successful in that the very large carp was dragged from the water. It was unsuccessful, in that the rod bent into a “U” and stayed that way. In spite of my best efforts it was never the same. It is difficult to cast a line through a bent rod. Sorry, Steve.

This early experience should have been a sign. No fishing equipment is ever safe in my hands. I did so little fishing after the bent rod incident, I don’t recall any. The ditch simply didn’t hold my interest.