In today’s world, almost everyone is extremely busy. Sometimes you have to make time for what is really important and be smart enough to know the difference.
Throughout our lives, sometimes it’s the little things that can mean the most.
This spring has been crazy for me in terms of work. Several large-scale construction projects have been sapping my energy as well as my free time. This doesn’t include normal responsibilities like keeping our own place in order.
I am blessed with a large family including many nieces and nephews. One in particular, Cole Stephenson or “Cole-Man” as I call him, was born and raised in Chicago. His mother is a circuit court judge and his late father was an attorney. Although they are wonderful parents, they lack in the knowledge of outdoor pursuits and locations to pursue them.
He is their only son, growing up with three older sisters. For someone living in one of the nation’s largest cities, he is totally infected with the desire to hunt and fish. I wonder where he gets that!
Cole is now 22 and since his early childhood we have spent many memorable days afield, whether in search of small game or white-tailed deer. We were side-by-side when he collected nearly all of his deer.
Since the age of 10, he has always traveled to Kokomo to stay with me during spring break and this year was no exception. The two of us have enjoyed many memorable fishing trips, even traveling out of state for special adventures.
I’ll always remember a conversation we had years ago when headed to Tennessee with boat in tow for a week of crappie fishing. “Your mom and dad would have a total fit if they knew how Uncle John really was, wouldn’t they?” I asked after one of my more irreverent moments on our way to Kentucky Lake. “Yes they would,” he said beaming me a smile. “But that’s why I love being with you.”
Several weeks back Cole came to Kokomo for his annual fishing trip. His car was packed with several rods and a tackle bag full of artificial lures. He never leaves home without them.
“Are we still on?” read the text he sent a week before his arrival. “Not sure, but I still want you to come,” was my response.
Although I relish every opportunity to visit with my nephew, I knew taking a few days off would be out of the question due to important responsibilities. The most pressing was getting our bathrooms back in operation after extensive remodeling. I immediately began organizing thoughts in my head on how to explain this would be one instance where I just didn’t have the time. I justified it by thinking this would be a good lesson in life for him. A person can’t do what they want every time they want. There are instances when work, personal responsibilities or other commitments should be a priority.
His eyes lit up when he pulled up to our house and saw me standing outside. “You ready to do some fishing?” he asked, with excitement in his eyes. The thoughts I previously organized began to flow. I began explaining this would be one time when Uncle John just didn’t have the time. “But you’re old enough now and I will show you several places you can go,” I explained. Cole stood silent for a few seconds. “I understand,” he said solemnly, and in some weird way, I believe he did.
Standing there for a minute, I began thinking what IS really important? Would taking some time off from the remodeling projects actually matter? Although I have to admit, working bathrooms does make life easier. Would waiting an extra day or two to mow the grass really make that big of a difference? So what if I didn’t get some of the other small projects completed. They would still be there and I could do them another day. Then I had an epiphany. I only get the opportunity to spend time with my nephew a handful of days a year and I wasn’t going to let this one slip through my fingers.
“How about this,” I said to Cole a few minutes later. “Instead of making a trip somewhere how about we fish local? We can try the reservoir, wade the creek and hit a pond or two?” His eyes lit up like spotlights. “I even brought my waders but I also understand you have a lot going on right now,” he said more out of respect than sincerity. “Nope, we are going to spend some time fishing like we always have,” I said to him. “I’ll go grab my stuff then,” he responded, spinning around on his heels.
After purchasing his fishing license, the first evening was spent wading Wildcat Creek. I can’t tell you how enjoyable it was slipping into the stream’s flowing waters with my nephew at my side. I started with soft plastics while Cole opted for a jig.
After just a few casts I heard Cole yell “fish!” Looking upstream, I could see his rod bent in a tight ark just as a feisty smallmouth bass exploded from the surface in a valiant effort for freedom. “Heck yeah!” I said as he slid his hand under the fish before removing the hook and releasing it. By nightfall he caught his limit of five bass and I hooked three. Not bad for only several hours of fishing.
The next morning we were off to the reservoir for a quick trip. Using small tubes, we saw success on crappies. Later in the evening we visited a friend’s pond where Cole hooked several good sized largemouth bass. This was actually working out good. Fish for a few hours with my nephew then spend a few hours working while he went to visit other family members, then fish again in the evening.
Daylight had barely broken the following morning when Cole and I made the short trip to an area pond. Both of us started out throwing small jigs and never needed to change baits. The crappies loved our offerings and we ended up bringing 25 slabs home to meet the fillet knife.
After cleaning the fish it was time for him to start the trip back home. “Thanks a lot Uncle John for taking me fishing,” he said, staring straight into my eyes. “I love you man,” he added before giving me a hug. Words can’t begin to describe what that meant to me.
It was at that moment I realized what WAS important. It wasn’t remodeling bathrooms or repairing the roof. It sure in the hell wasn’t mowing grass, cutting trees and clearing brush. It was spending time with my nephew.
In reality, we only spent several hours together over several days, but we will both have a lifetime savoring it! Now if you excuse me, I have to go find a bathroom somewhere!
CITY OF FIRSTS BASSMASTERS
The City of Firsts Bassmasters recently completed a tournament of Morse Reservoir. The team of Cody and Kierstan Oliver swept the event winning first place with five largemouth bass totaling 11 pounds, two ounces. They also had “big bass” honors with a fish tipping the scales at three pounds, four ounces. Second place went to Calvin Fitch and Dave Parkhurst with five fish weighing 10 pounds, five ounces. Bryce Eaton and Liam Putz rounded out third place with one fish topping out at two pounds, three ounces.
KOKOMO BASS ANGLERS
The Kokomo Bass Anglers kicked off their season with a tournament on Nyona Lake. Cory Lorts came away with the win bringing five largemouth bass to the scales totaling 12 pounds, 10 ounces. Second place went to Chance Taskey with five fish weighing 11 pounds, eight ounces. Scott Vollmer reeled in third place with five bass weighing 10 pounds, five ounces. Jeff Carley had the tourneys “big fish” with a largemouth tipping the scales at three pounds, 10 ounces.
KOKOMO RESERVOIR TOURNEY
Ethan Miller took home first place at last Monday evening’s Kokomo Reservoir open team bass tourney with five fish sporting a combined weight of 13.47 pounds. Brad Parsons took second as well as the tourney’s “big fish” honors with three fish weighing 9.51 pounds. His largest topped out at 4.53 pounds. Phil and Randy Reel brought in third place with three bass weighing 6.10 pounds.
