Words By: Kit Belen
It is said that the most precious gift we could ever give our children is the learning we pass onto them of what we’ve learned in our lives. Not necessarily for them not to make the same mistakes, but to warn them of the outcome and to let them know what to expect.
Of the three offspring my parents have produced, I am the only one who inherited our father’s passion for fishing, the enjoyment of the solitude and beauty it gives to both mind and soul.
My grandad
My father’s dad passed away when he was 10 years old and the only grandfather I have ever known was my mother’s dad. I never got to fish with the old man, although dad and mum always told me that he was a very decent fisherman. At a very young age, I had visions of learning from an old master and learning to fish the way they used to when they were actively fishing. It did not happen for me. I learned from older men that were not related to me, not that I’m complaining, it’s just that I believe, these things are better done with someone close and dear. The younger kids will always have fond memories of the people that they learned fishing from and it will be forever ingrained in their memories.
My dad, Kaylee’s Grandpa
One of the fondest memories I’ve ever had was when my uncle (my dad’s brother) gave me my first rod and reel. When the government started to restrict hunting for birds, dad took up fishing again, it was a chance for me to learn from someone who knew how to fish. Or so I thought. Dad was primarily a freshwater fisherman and to make it even stranger, he didn’t even know how to use a rod and reel, he used long bamboo poles to fish for the native species we have back home. There was no need to use “fancy gear”, although he had a rod and reel in the closet (also given to him by his brother) it remained there, untouched and unused for a few years.
Due to the restrictions imposed by the government, he finally took up saltwater fishing and elected to learn how to use a rod and reel. After a few quick sessions with his elder brother, he learned how to cast and eventually, after a few years, became one of the best pier fishermen of the country.
I slowly inched away from fishing with kids from my age group and fished more and more with him chasing after snapper, giant trevally, sweet lips and pretty much anything that would bite a bottom fished live shrimp. When I moved to Dubai, our times fishing together was cut short and each time I went home on holiday, I would make it a point to have a trip or two with him. Fishing is bonding time between dad and I.
When I became a dad, I wanted to give to my daughter what I have not experienced when I was her age – to fish with my grandfather and my dad at the same time. So, that we did when my parents and brother visited Dubai. We braved the weather and fished together. Although the catching could have been better, the memories that we shared that day will forever be fixed in Kaylee’s mind – the day she fished with her grandpa for the first time.
Looking forward
I honestly believe that it is very important to let our kids understand whom we got our passion from.
In my case, having inherited my father’s passion for fishing, and find it very important to let my child know and experience it straight from the guy that took me out fishing. The memories that she has of her grandfather will forever affect the way she sees the sport – that it’s not just about catching fish, but rather time spent with family and make memories with the people that matter most.
We cannot do anything about the past, I cannot change the fact that I was not able to fish with either of my grandfathers, but I can do something about my child’s experiences, and for mine as well. It was great to see dad fishing somewhere else and catch fish other than the ones that he catches back home. I am looking forward to their next visit and perhaps next time, I can show him the spots I regularly fish and fish like we did years ago, perhaps we can even take the little girl with us.
