It all starts with that magic request
I ran out of aspirin. My bottle of seasickness medicine had seen better days, and my state-of-the-art computer was acting like a rambunctious teenager.
It was late, and the drugstore wasn't open.
My headache was the result of the stress factor running off the chart. I admit, the roller-coaster ride with the stock market was the main culprit.
And just like that, the dark clouds parted and words of encouragement dropped right in my lap. A feel good e-mail came out of nowhere.
Here's part of the communication I received last weekend from Jim Yallop that perked me up:
"Mike, a while back you wrote a column about how to get children exposure to the wonderful world of fishing. You suggested using Darrell Baker as someone who knew what they were doing with kids and fishing.
"You were right! My godchild (Jessica, she's 8) asked me last fall to take her fishing. I said sure, next year.
"Well, despite a lifetime of fishing north of the border (I'm a Canadian), I didn't know how to get her hooked on fishing. I thought about taking her myself, but that had no guarantee of catching fish. I could envision the two of us spending hours fishing and not catching anything, and at the end of the day, she would be soured on fishing and have the notion that it was a boring pastime.
"Then I saw your article. I contacted Darrell, and he was a godsend. Jessica, her father, and I went out on Lake Marie with Darrell early on Sept. 20. He got her involved in everything from steering the boat to baiting the hooks. Still fishing, we caught many bluegills and some small bass. Jessica had a great time (she probably caught 10 or 12 of the 40 we caught). And that was really what the trip was all about.
"Then, Darrell told Jessica we were going to try another kind of fishing and we might not get as much action, but we might get something bigger. We trolled for about 10 minutes and I got a hit. It was a 26-inch, 7-pound walleye.
"So, when all was said and done, everyone was happy and we agreed to have a do over next spring. I'm not easily impressed, but Darrell sure impressed me. Thanks for the tip!"
As I have soap-boxed countless times about my beloved sport, it's not the tackle companies that create interest in fishing, but rather it's a parent or grandparent who comes to the rescue and teaches a kid there's something far better out here than gory computer games and cell phone texting.
My headache wasn't completely gone, but the pain that lingered over the occipital area lessened when I read Yallop's encouraging statements about his godchild.
During a visit to Barnacle Bob's resort and bait shop this summer, Darrell Baker couldn't wait to show me a color photograph of a youngster who is the son of one of Baker's regular customers.
This youthful angler was holding a monster walleye taken from Lake Marie. And since then this little boy jabs daddy in the ribs to take him out again and again.
Yallop told me Jessica soaked up all the information and teaching Baker could impart.
That's one of the positive attributes Baker displays with young and older fishermen alike. His patience level is extraordinary, especially with young children. And even with experienced fishermen, Baker is able to show them a better way of finding and bringing fish into his boat.
Maybe there is hope for this sport after all.