“Sometimes the best fishing holes don’t have any fish in them.” I wish I could say that my grandfather, or some other epic figure told me that when I was a young lad, but in all honesty I can’t remember who told me that. Hell, I might have come up with it myself. Regardless, there is a lot of truth in that statement and I was reminded of that this weekend when I went hunting with my Uncle Greg.
When I was young I learned to hunt and fish from my father and from my Uncles. I was lucky enough to go on some great hunts in several states and see some beautiful country. I was able to see the beautiful elegance of well trained hunting dogs doing what they do best. I loved being out in the country. I loved the connection I had with the people I hunted with, and have lasting memories of so many of these times. Last weekend my Uncle Greg invited me to go along with him and some friends to hunt on his ranch in Coleman, Texas. It had been at least a decade since I’ve hunted with him, and I think it has been at least 3 or 4 years since I’ve been hunting at all. So I was very excited to have the chance to go out into the country with him and get back to doing something I used to enjoy so much.
We had a great time! I got to meet some nice new people, see others that I hadn’t seen in years, see some beautiful land, and our hunt was very successful by all standards. However, I think I enjoyed just being out in mother nature even more than I enjoyed the successful hunt. It had been too long since I sat in a field and watched and listened as the sun rose. Too long since I’ve heard a deer snort at me as she made her way though the pasture. It had just been too long since I got outside and really enjoyed Mother Nature. That is what I mean by sometimes the best fishing holes don’t have any fish in them. It’s not so much about the size or quantity of the fish; it is just about getting outside. It is about getting out of your home, away from the office, TV, computer, cell phone, highways and everyday life. It’s about finding a reason to spend a few hours outside to just listen and watch. Hunting/fishing/camping can be the avenue or the catalyst that gets you off your duff and out of town. Thus your trip can be successful even if you come home empty handed. I’d rather not catch a fish, or shoot any game for a whole weekend than sit on my couch and watch TV.
Keni, am I back in your good graces now?
