Some friends invited me to spend a day on the water with them earlier this summer. Scott Soderquist, Mike Frisch and I go way back. We used to work together at sportshow booths, seminars, and other fishing industry related functions. The three of us also spent a good amount of time together in a boat chasing mostly walleyes and panfish. We truly enjoyed each other’s company. Then life kicked in and we went in different directions. Mike and I kept in touch regularly and still do. In one of our phone conversations, Scott’s name came up. We quickly agreed that it would be fun to get together again. We did some math and realized that it had been at least 30 years since the three of us had shared a boat. A few days later, I got another call from Mike. He said, “It’s on. You and Scott and I are going fishing.” Following is how a way overdue fishing trip went. I’m guessing that many anglers can relate to this sort of thing.
The plan was to meet at a bait shop in Alexandria, MN on a Tuesday in early June. After everyone had arrived, one member of our group complimented the others on how quickly and spryly they had exited their vehicles.
Another member of the group mentioned that it was surprising that none of us had sprouted any gray hair. We were all wearing caps and they stayed on for the rest of our time together.
The third member of our group complimented the others that in 30 years they appeared to have gained no weight. We were all wearing baggy, over-sized shirts. They stayed on for the rest of the trip also.
After that, we started telling the truth.
In the time that had passed since our last day on the water together, we had all become grandparents. We admitted that we “almost always” enjoy spending time with the grandchildren.
One of us had married, one of us had unmarried, and one of us had been married for 43 years.
Then we went fishing.
When we arrived at the lake, a rain squall was going through. Back in the day, we fished in rain, snow, wind, and hot or cold weather. Today, we waited for the rain to stop.
When the skies cleared and we were on the water, we marveled at the changes in the boat we were fishing in compared to the boat we last shared. The previous boat had a 50 horsepower tiller motor and a flasher type sonar. We couldn’t imagine a better fishing rig. Today’s boat had a 200 horsepower motor, two sonar screens on the console and two more screens near the bow mount electric motor. Most impressively, our boat captain seemed to know how to operate everything. We couldn’t imagine a better fishing rig.
We caught fish consistently. Lots of really nice smallmouth bass along with numerous northern pike, rock bass, walleyes, and largemouth bass. A Ned Ocho on a sixteenth ounce jig was the hot set-up. The catching was fun, the camaraderie was more fun.
Then it was time to go home. We agreed that 30 years between fishing trips was too long and also agreed that we should get together again soon. Whether or not we do is unknown. Just remember this: We all have someone or someone’s in our lives that we don’t spend enough time with. Do what you can while you can to get together with them. And when they tell you that it appears that you’re as spry as ever, haven’t gained weight or grown gray hairs, agree with them even if you know better.
Photo Caption-Scott Soderquist on the left and Mike Frisch with a pair of smallmouth bass that joined our 30 year reunion.