This is my post for #freewriters Friday prompt bookmark hosted by @mariannewest
I have been trying to understand the feelings that I am having, am I happy that you will be doing what you were meant to do, or is it, I am sad that I will not be doing these things with you?
The only thing that I know for sure is you played a huge role in my fishing career and I am going to miss you.
Before we were married we went to one of the fish houses that also built boats and asked them if they would pop us a boat from one of the boat molds that they owned and we would build the boat from it. They did this for us for what it cost in materials and not much more for the labor of the man who did the work.
The best that I can remember this was in 1984.
Going to the ocean to catch fish
Coming back in loaded with fish
For several years I fished you with my husband, until the day he had to go to a fisheries meeting on the west coast. We had been catching jack crevalle and my husband told me while he was gone to take you and set them. Set is when you take a school of fish in with a gillnet.
I was so scared to do this on my own but I did it. I got to the fish house before daylight, got my ice, and drove you in the dark to the bridge to wait on the jacks.
Just as the crows started flying I saw the ripple that they make, I call it pushing water. I still remember that I was shaking, I lifted the anchor and as soon as they got far enough from the bridge I started the engine, ran toward them, and threw my buoy so I would cut them off from the bridge. When you scare fish, they will go back in the direction that they came from.
They went to hitting the net, and I am still shaking, after closing the circle and drumming it. Drumming is when you run the motor around within the circle to scare the fish that did not hit the net into it.... (the end of 5 minutes but will continue.)
I picked the net up, stopping only to throw ice on the fish. I roped them in. This is when you put the net on the boat with the fish still in it. You do this when you get a big set, so you can get back to the fish house where there is help and more ice. I had 1,500 pounds and that started our love for each other. This started my fishing my own boat. You were forever known as my boat.
The day after we got married my husband took you and caught 3,200 pounds of roe mullet.
Your looks have changed over the years, but so have mine, you have always come out looking better.
How many hours have I sat with you waiting on a fish to bite?
You were not only there to work, but also to carry our family, friends, and essentials to the islands for a week of camping and play fishing. That is what I call fishing for fun.
I have taken you through all sorts of things, if there was water and enough room, we did it, spiders and all.
You were the boat that the grandkids learned how to drive.
When friends needed a job, you were there to help. RIP Alex.
The weather we have been in together, fog, rain, thunderstorms, and slick calm. You kept me safe and we always returned to the dock.
You have taken my sister and her husband on a romantic Anniversary day trip up the Saint Sebastian river.
It is a shame how I have neglected you, your motor has a hole in the block so you have sat in the yard for the last 5 years. My husband says that we will never be able to buy a new motor so he has sold you for 700 dollars, I have more than that in my memories with you.
I can not let myself dwell on this. I have to change my way of thinking to the fact that you will be back on the water, where you belong, doing the things that you were built to do. So I will place a bookmark in this chapter of your life and I can not wait to see you reborn, on the river doing what you are meant to do. I had you for many years but now I hope your new owner will have many good memories, may the water always stay under you.
1984-2022
photos are mine
