Fishin'

It's not only Father's Day today.

According to my trusty Garbage Pail Kids Page-A-Day Calendar, it's also Go Fishing Day.

If I were to use today's post to write about my dad and fishing, the first story that would come to mind is the first time I ever went fishing with him. 

It was also the last time I went fishing (properly) with him.

We were in Ireland in the mid-80s. I'd guess - to be precise - it was right in the middle: 1985. He took my young self off to a pier and we spent all day catching... NOTHING!

The highlight of the day was leaving the pier and walking to a cake shop where my dad bought a couple of chocolate eclairs. 

It was the first time I had ever eaten one of those pastry foods. I loved them instantly. I cannot ever see one of those items without remembering that day on the pier.

I often remind my dad 'Hey, remember that day we went fishing and caught some eclairs?'

Ten years later, I found myself on a boat on the coast of west Wales with a family member who worked as a lobsterman. On that occasion we were fishing mackerel to use as bait for the pots. He was on one side of the boat yanking the fishing line and bringing loads of fish on board. Me? Well, I was trying to do the same thing on the other side of the boat. 

I caught zilch.

Not even get a chocolate eclair.