I had the opportunity to fish with my son Chris the other day.
He enjoys fishing and we get out whenever he has time.
With a wife and three kids, a house to take care of and a full-time job, not to mention that he lives two hours away in Jupiter, his opportunities to go fishing with his old man have been few and far between.
So, last Sunday morning we went out to Lake Glenada, knowing we'd probably get rained out by noon, to do a little flippin' for bass.
With no wind, high humidity and temperatures at 9 a.m. already soaring past 80 degree's, it didn't take long for both of us to break out in a heavy sweat as we flipped the reeds on the northwest side of the lake.
It didn't take long before I landed a nice two-pounder, followed within moments by a slightly bigger two-pounder that Chris flipped into the boat.
Ahhhhhhh, competition, an American tradition!
The action slowed and we moved to another section of the lake, an area that had produced well for me in the past.
Two more bass, one each, back-to-back and then nothing.
We fished through the entire area with Chris moving ahead with a small 8-inch bass that when he set the hook, the bass actually flew out of the water and across the boat, landing in the water behind us.
OK, technically, that put Chris ahead.
Moving to our third and final spot on the eastern shoreline, Chris connected with another 2 1/2 pounder.
With three in the boat, to my two, I realized time was running out.
Storm clouds were gathering and moving in on us quickly.
If I was going to beat Chris on this trip, I needed to do it soon.
As the first few drops fell, I saw my line jump, then move sideways, and as I set the hook, a nice 5-pound bass broke the surface.
I looked over at Chris and he just shook his head.
As we hurried back to the boat ramp, I had to rub it in that the "old man" was still the best fisherman!
I have a nice, small lake behind my house in Golf Hammock, so we brought the fish home, showed them off to everyone, got a couple pictures and released them into the lake.
My son has two daughters, Kate and Kayla, which means I have two grand-daughters.
They both love to fish, but on this particularly hot day, they decided to stay home with mom and grandma and spend the day swimming.
My youngest grandchild, Connor, didn't seem too impressed when we held up one of the bass for him to get a good look at.
At 9-months old, he's probably a bit shy of having any real interest in fishing.
Jokingly, I told Connor when he turns 16 and gets his driver's license, Grandpa would give him his Chevy truck and Ranger Comanche.
As I said it, I realized the truck would be over 20-years old and the Ranger, real close to 20.
I was also kind of shocked to think in 16 years I'd be almost 80.
Now that's something to think about.
Fishing has changed a lot since I was a kid.
My brothers and I loved sports; baseball, basketball and football, but we also loved to fish and hunt.
My father's passion for the outdoors was passed on to our generation, and, like his father and his father's father, we all have an obligation to pass on our love of fishing to our sons and daughters, as well as their children.
But I wonder what the next 20 years will bring to the fishing world.
Children today seem to be obsessed with cell phones, I-Pads and computers.
Both my granddaughters are constantly "texting" their friends and receiving "texts" all day long.
Stopping by the mall the other day, I couldn't help notice the half dozen teens and tweens standing just outside the door, each with their own phone "texting" away the day.
Life will certainly be different in 20 years.
I just hope all the reality television and the "texting" craze, or whatever comes next, doesn't get in the way of actually living your life and getting out on the lake occasionally and catching some fish.
If it does, us 80- and 90-year olds may have the lakes to ourselves.
Don Norton is a professional tournament bass fisherman, bass fishing guide, and custom rod builder. He has also taught a few fishing classes at the South Florida Community College. He lives in the Golf Hammock area of Sebring with his wife Lexie and is the owner of a custom rod building company appropriately named "The American Fisherman". He can be reached at 216-339-6571, 330-635-6682 or by email at donorton13@gmail.com. His website address is theamericanfisherman.com.
Friday, August 17, 2012 - www.newssun.com/FRI-8-17-12-FishColumn