|
|
Introduce someone to the great outdoors
Posted: Friday, July 24, 2009 1:32 pm
By: By The Associated Press
The Messenger 07.24.09
This week, I wanted to shed a little light on spending quality time in the outdoors with your family members. The time spent in the outdoors with your children will pay off down the road; it’s a fact. I am proof of that.
I can honestly say there is no amount of money that would replace the many hours, days, weeks and years my father and I have shared on hunting and fishing trips together. I always have said, “Memories will outlive a lifetime.” Just a few minutes here or there will be very rewarding down the road not only for you but for your children and your family.
Not everyone likes to be in the outdoors hunting and fishing and that’s OK. There are many other activities to do like baseball, football, basketball, golf, hiking, camping, soccer, softball and scouts, just to name a very few. You get the picture.
The main thing to remember is that every minute spent now is a memory for all of you later in life and a life lesson.
My dad’s, dad, my grandfather — the late H. P. Callicott — never was into the hunting or fishing scene, so dad fell in with others who would spend time with him teaching him all about the great outdoors. Then on my mother’s side, her father, my grandfather — the late Harvel Denton — worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for over 35 years. He and I were able to share many days, as well, out on Reelfoot Lake.
You see, I had no clue when I was born what my father was about to introduce me to the great outdoors and I am for ever grateful he did. My father, Lanny Callicott, spent countless hours — not only with me but my sister — taking us fishing and hunting. Today, I owe him and my mother (for allowing him to do so) the credit for everything I have learned about life came through the outdoors.
I’m sure it all started one day on a simple fishing trip to a local farm pond. I was hooked from then on.
Back many, many years ago, my father and I spent many hours in a Reelfoot Lake boat, bass fishing, crappie fishing and bluegill fishing on Reelfoot Lake and then later on Kentucky Lake. Back then, we didn’t have an aluminum boat, much less a fiberglass boat, but as time went on, Dad bought both types of boats.
He taught me to respect the lake or body of water I was fishing on, the landing I was hunting or fishing on, the folks I was fishing with or around and everything else that goes with being in the great outdoors. Sometimes I might not have understood at the time what and why I was doing something the way he wanted, but later on it all came into place of why.
Respect does go a long way or it use to anyway. It doesn’t seem to go as far now as it did several years ago. I want to make a diiference and change that. That is one reason I write these reports and stories.
Dad would spend every minute he could making sure I was learning and at the same time having a great time not knowing...but hoping down the road all of his time spent with us would be rewarding to him — and it is/was. I plan to do the same thing with my daughter as well. We have already been testing the waters, so to speak, and taking it slowly.
If I can do half as good of a job spending time with my daughter, sharing important information about learning as both of my parents have done with me and still is, I will be happy.
Here are some tips for those of you — young and old — who might want to introduce someone or even yourself to fishing or hunting.
The No. 1 fact is make your trip a fun and enjoyable one. Take snacks and drinks, even having a picnic is good. Laugh and cut up. Take your camera. Always take a camera. Pictures will also last forever.
Starting out, make sure you keep your trips short. When doing so, plan a trip to a local pond or, if you live next to a lake, that is good. I would advise not to drive several miles for a fishing trip that will last no longer than the drive home. For example, I wouldn’t drive to Kentucky Lake to fish for 15 to 30 minutes. Now if you have other things to do while in the area, then do so. Stay close to home.
Have patience, which is very important. Not everyone is going to pick up hunting or fishing as quickly as others. Some tend to learn faster than others so always keep that in mind. Patience...Patience....Patience.
When starting out, do not buy the best fishing equipment. Start out with cheaper versions of hunting equipment, clothes, guns, rods, reels and poles. This is in case someone breaks one or they do not like to fish or hunt, then your investment isn’t as much.
As everyone gets better at what they do, then move up in the quality of equipment you might be using.
Another thing is invite or introduce someone to come along. This is not for everyone. You might just have made a friend for life.
For example, growing up, most of the guys I ran around with didn’t hunt or fish with the exception of Clay Parker and Jim Harris. Our three families use to spend each summer at Kentucky Lake for a week of fishing and water skiing. My other friends didn’t seem to understand. Then I introduced my best childhood friend, Roger Pugh, to fishing. It was accually a Cub Scouts Rodeo at Windy Hill on the late George Botts farm land. One trip did Roger in, for some reason. I think it was the getting up early and handling the fish that he didn’t like. Now, some 30-plus years later, he and his son, David, have been introduced to deer hunting and duck hunting. Roger has told me countless times about his getting involved in the outdoors and what he missed early in life. He knows now what I was talking about 35 to 40 years ago. He loves the outdoors.
So you do not have to be a young person to be introduced into the outdoors. Anyone, at any age, can be.
For more information or anything I can to to direct you or someone you know into the oudtoors, please e-mail or call me.
Try it. I promise you will not be dissapointed.
’til next week....
Catch Ya On The Water Brent
———
Callicott may be reached by e-mail or phone at calli1 @charter.net, 731-446-3678 or 731-885-7109.
 Print
Brent Callicott, outdoor fishing report, the great outdoors
|
|
| Obits |
|
|
| Advertisments |
|
|
| RSS Support Feed |
|
|
|
