Fishing with Dad

  What can I say. We the Schneider's stink at fishing!  Dad, Pete, tried very hard to become a good fisherman. He also attempted to teach me, his son, how to fish as well. I think that's where the trouble begins. Dad always seemed to have this idea that persistence will payoff someday. So along the way, there I went. We can start with the Fisherman's attitude. Get up and it's dark out there. I didn't want to get up," the fish are still sleeping dad", I would say. "Get up anyway!" What is that about. Don't fish eat in the day? So I would get up, head to the bathroom, and on our way we went. No wonder we had to get up early, what with all the stops we had to make. First we had to get gas for the car or truck or van or what ever dad was driving at the time. That would include not only gas, but smokes, beer, slimJims, oh, and coffee and breakfast. Yes, sometimes a hardy breakfast for his young son at the local gas station. M,m, Good! We also needed directions to where we were going. On the road again. Then we had to stop for worms or live bait. Now this, stopping for bait, is a whole ordeal itself. What could be quicker then stopping for bait." Yes I'd like the large worms and some minnows please." NO , that is not what happens. Dad has got a story for every stop and or topic there is. 30 minutes later, we get out of the bait store after alot of "come on dad, lets go." I had to do that 5 or 6 times to get out of there.On the road again. Now it is getting light outside. We have been up for an hour and a half, and I still can't see water. The directions were never quite right according to dad you understand. Dad had to take the shortcut. "Brett" he would say, "I don't think they gave such good directions, we'll have to take the shortcut." How in God's name can we take "the shortcut" if he had to ask for directions in the first place! At about that time, I would get this sinking feeling in the pit if my stomach. Do you know how long it took us with a shortcut? "How about some lunch Brett."

   To be continued.
            Brett