Well, Trout Season starts at 6 AM tomorrow (actually today, yes?) so I'm going to

[Redstone]

let anyone else who wants to go out there and shiver at the crack o'dawn, do so with my blessing.

I'll be in my nice warm bed with my nice warm wife and my nice warm puppy. The fish can wait until a more civilized hour.

Redstone

[InternalDialogue]

1. As far as I'm concerned, Redstone --

you just stated a truism: wife and puppies trump trout, most any day. Should that equation ever change, consult the manual. Something's probably serious out of whack.

[Redstone]

2. Ah, so you counsel perspective. Something it took me a long time to learn.

Redstone

[InternalDialogue]

8. Well, I figure when it's time to close the book on life

you might look back with fondness on the chapters about fishing, but you'll always feel there weren't enough about long mornings with your love.

[Redstone]

11. Well, and lyrically, said. An excellent corollary to the old saying that you'll never see

"I wish I had spent more time at the office" on a tombstone.

You know what's important in life, that's clear.

Redstone

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. My dear Redstone!

I'm in total agreement with you!

Especially since, as you well know, I don't fish...

Pleasant dreams to you......:hug:

[Redstone]

6. Thanks, Peg; there WILL be pleasant dreams tonight. Mrs R and I had a damn good evening.

Redstone

[Zookeeper]

4. Speaking of fishing....

My 12 year old and I went fishing today for the first time this year. Nothing was biting, but it sure was nice to be out again. (Fishing is an excellent excuse to do nothing.)

The only legal fish right now are panfish and catfish. Our bass/walleye/pike season doesn't start until mid-May. I'm not sure about trout.

Maybe you'll feel inspired to get out later in the day.

:hi:

[Redstone]

5. Actually, one of my fondest memories is of Opening Day at 6 AM: My older son was

11 years old, and we dutifully trooped out at 5:30 to catch the 6:00 start time.

When we returned home at about 9:30, the final tally was: Him, five trout. Me, one trout. (Of course, I wasn't fishing all that much because I had to help him land his five fish, which I minded not at all).

I saw the picture of him in the kitchen with those trout on the stringer just the other day, being all proud of himself.

He's 22 years old now, so we won't see that kind of expression on his face again, like he had that day when he caught more fish than DAD did.

Redstone

[hang a left]

7. Auhhhhhh

your making me all misty!

So sweet.

[Zookeeper]

9. Sweet! What a nice story....

He caught five trout? That sounds like a meal to be proud of!

I was hoping my son would at least get a nibble, just to hold his interest. But, he did find a small dead catfish that he had a chance to closely examine (very thoroughly, I might add).

We are both newbies at fishing, so, we have lots of learning and exploring ahead of us (I hope). Next week, I'm taking a fly-fishing class... :bounce:

[Redstone]

12. I've long considered doing that myself, never having learned how to flycast. Let me know how

it works out for you, OK?

Redstone

[Zookeeper]

15. Sure, Redstone...

I will!

:hi:

[SarahB]

10. My kiddos are camping with their dad (with intense fishing plans).

I'm working all weekend (and studying).

Anyway, have fun!

:hi:

[Redstone]

13. Good deal for the kids, and especially because the dad/stepdad thing seems to be working

prety well for you guys. And most importantly, for the kids.

I'm damn happy that your life has worked out so well for you, I am.

Redstone

[Mendocino]

14. It was once said that every minute spent fishing...

adds a minute to your life, so if you fish all the time, you will live forever.

[Wapsie B]

16. My thoughts exactly.

A more civilized hour indeed. Same goes for bass, walleye, northern, pheasant, or any other season to think of. I don't do crack 'o dawn at all. Just takes the enjoyment out of it all. Now with a full-night's sleep and hearty breakfast and coffee I can conquer the day!

[Left Is Write]

17. I have no desire to go fishing for trout...

but I surely do love to eat trout.