Dilemma....

azekologi said:

You pose quite the dilemma...

The only advice I can give comes from a different but similar situation with some of my grandfather's old fishing gear. To help you through this juncture in your quest I too shall share a story:

My grandfather was an avid angler as well. He did not have the opportunity to drop a line in the water as often as your father, but he did enjoy the reprieve that many of us find in the solace of a tranquil morning on the lake. My grandfather was very old when I was born, and died when I was only 6. My memories of him are faded at best, but I do remember him taking me out in the back yard when I was a young lad and teaching me to cast, reel in, and some other simple basics that mystify children when they first hold a rod in their hands. The rod I always remember him having was a telescopic bamboo job of unknown age or maker. It was meticulously housed in a hard, velvet-lined case similar to a flute or other small instrument. I have no idea of it's value, but those who saw it claimed it was truly an antique and worth more than I realized.

From my modest introduction at 6, and having been raised by my mother and grandmother who didn't really know that much about fishing, I had not returned to the sport until I was 10 or 12. One summer I was shore fishing with his old rod and got my lure caught in the rocks far enough off shore that it was visible, but not reachable. In the inexperience of my youth, I tried...to hard...to dislodge my snag and broke the rod. It broke my heart then, before I even knew what I really had...a link to my grandfather's love of fishing...and my heart still stings a little today as I reminisce about him, this story, and memories of long ago. I do still have some of his lures and various old tackle, but nothing as prized as a rod or reel. These items I rarely use, but often carry for good luck fishing, or simply keep around to remind me of him as I pack my tackle box enjoying a pipe as he used to many-a-night.

I would say that retiring the rod and reel would be a disservice to gear's earned history and disrespectful to your father. That said, I don't believe that such "special" items should be subject to the abuse that we put our day-to-day gear through.

Such things should be kept in working order, perhaps displayed when not in use, but used sparingly. I would take the gear, and memories of your father out on special occasions (father's day, perhaps his birthday, anniversary of his death, whatever day you deem appropriate really) and use them then. On those special occasions share the stories with your children, or fishing mates, and let the memories of your father live on, fish on, beyond his earthly life.

I'd imagine that such respect of spirit and tradition would bring you some of the greatest luck you've ever had on the water...if not...I'm sure that it would warm your heart with memories of time, priceless time, you shared with your dad.

Whatever you decide to do, I'm sure it will be the right thing...just take the time, be open minded, and the answer will come.

Best of luck.

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fender66 said:

I lost my dad to cancer in 8 weeks time. Perfectly healthy one day, 8 weeks later, gone. I have all of his gear and smile every time it's used. My daughter fishes with it mostly. I know he'd be thrilled that we are enjoying it. But....I do have some of his stuff that I just can't touch.....like your dad's reel (possibly). I did get most of his clothes cause I wear the same size shirt that he did. I actually have a t-shirt that he folded and put in his drawer. It's in my drawer and has never been unfolded for 8+ years. It all depends on what it is and how it hits home with you....but I do know you are NOT alone. My prayers go out to you. Either way...I hope you smile and remember a good time every time you see that reel.

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fender66 said:

I lost my dad to cancer in 8 weeks time. Perfectly healthy one day, 8 weeks later, gone. I have all of his gear and smile every time it's used. My daughter fishes with it mostly. I know he'd be thrilled that we are enjoying it. But....I do have some of his stuff that I just can't touch.....like your dad's reel (possibly). I did get most of his clothes cause I wear the same size shirt that he did. I actually have a t-shirt that he folded and put in his drawer. It's in my drawer and has never been unfolded for 8+ years. It all depends on what it is and how it hits home with you....but I do know you are NOT alone. My prayers go out to you. Either way...I hope you smile and remember a good time every time you see that reel.

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Dragonman said:

I took some of your sugestions. My brother an I went Fishing Saturday night. We each used our pole we got from dad, We launched our boat in the same place he did, we went to his favorite fishing spots. We used the rigs he had tied and the bait he would have used. we talked alnight about Dad and used his tricks. We shared memorys and secrets about Dad and our family. We had a great time. We could not catch catfish though, Im sure Dad was laghing at us. Thank you guys for the ideas and the experiance we had.

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wasilvers said:

Congrats on the great trip. I used some of my Dad's equipment, but it wasn't anything he really loved. Once it wore out, I just put it in the spare tackle box- just can't seem to be able to toss it. My dad wasn't a big fisherman, he only went because I wanted to. What he really likedliked was BBQ chicken. So every year on father's day or his birthday or both, I make BBQ chicken just the way he did (including blackening a piece or two My wife understands, the kids get to hear each year about how Grandpa used to love his BBQ!

I think everyone honors their parent in some way or another. I'm sure my kids will honor me by fishing once or twice a year. But I have only two special rods, and three kids... :roll:

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