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Along Life’s Way
Gone Fishin’
By Lois E. Wilson
The song Gone Fishin’ (lyrics by Charles and Nick Kenny) has been
recorded by several artists. An excerpt from it is:
Gone fishin’ by a shady wady pool;
I’m wishin’ I could be that kind of fool.
I’d say no more work for mine.
On my door I’d hang a sign:
Gone fishin’ instead of just a wishin’.
A 1987 article by Jack Kulpa in “Field and Stream” magazine states:
“When I was a small boy, my father speculated…’Yessir, son, you’re
destined for great things…maybe you’ll even be president.’ All thoughts
of ever amounting to anything vanished the summer I turned six. I
caught my first fish. From that moment, I knew my destiny was fishing.”
However, several presidents have enjoyed fishing. George Washington
fished on the Potomac. Grover Cleveland considered it a refuge from the
White House. He made sure that his honeymoon included fishing in
Maryland.
After Warren Harding won election, he celebrated by playing golf and
fishing in Texas. Herbert Hoover was known as the “Fishing
President.” He once said, “Fishing seems to be one of the few
avenues left to presidents through which they may escape to their own
thoughts… It is desirable that the President of the United States be
reminded that the forces of nature discriminate for no man.”
F.D.R. also fished and had a houseboat equipped for his wheelchair.
Legend has it that in 1952 Eisenhower went over the trout catch limit
when fly fishing in Colorado. In 1979, Jimmy Carter became forever
known from this story: He was fishing when a rabbit that was being
chased by hounds jumped into the water and swam toward his boat. Not
knowing what to do, he thrashed his paddle against the water. His
actions were caught on film and it was dubbed the “killer rabbit
attack.” Other presidents have also fished for relaxation.
Four of Christ’s apostles were known fishermen: Simon (Peter), his
brother, Andrew; James and his brother, John. Christ called them to
fish for people to accept God’s teachings.
Fishing teaches life lessons. When people fish, they interact with
nature. There can be beautiful days with abundant results or days which
produce nothing. It forces you to face reality. Frustrated at the end
of a no-catch day, one fisherman loudly exclaimed, “It was so bad out
there, we weren’t fishing—we were just drowning worms!”
Grab a rod; hang up a sign: “Gone Fishin’.” Dads, fishing is a great
sport for families. As you wait for the fish to bite, you can talk with
your wife and children about their activities and goals. You can also
fish as Christ wants you to—for people. That is rewarding to your
spirit. Happy Father’s Day!
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