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| A younger Don Winkelman Sr. admires his crappie. |
March 1, May 31
Fishing all started for me at our family cabin on a small lake in Northern Minnesota with my dad. There, teaching all of his kids the basics we needed to know about fishing, my father unselfishly took on the role of mentor.
Years later, long after that tiny cabin was sold, I returned to that same lake many times to follow his example by doing the same for my own kids.
After all, isn’t that what parents are supposed to do?
I mean, beyond the general right vs. wrong and instilling the lessons to help them get along in this world…isn’t a big part of “raising a family” about handing down traditions we feel will add positive meaning to our children’s lives?
Obviously, passing the torch in fishing is something I’ve been passionate about because I feel it’s hugely important not only to our children, but the future of the sport as well.
But this week, I’d like to focus more on the debt of thanks we adults owe to whoever introduced us to fishing and the role paybacks should play if indeed we truly appreciate their efforts.
For me, as I said, that means my father, Don Winkelman Sr, which many of you probably don’t realize is my given name too. That’s right, my name is Don Winkelman junior. “Babe” is a nickname given to me by my dad when I was a little leaguer smashing fastballs…you know—just like Babe Ruth.
Anyway, like most good dads generally feel…nothing he ever did for his kids was meant to be added up or paid back, which is probably exactly why I’ve always tried to do the opposite by taking him fishing and hunting as much as I possibly could.
Whenever outdoors together, we find ourselves united on the interests we share in common…find quiet places in nature where father-and-son talk comes naturally… and take genuine joy in each other’s excitement whenever something spectacular happens in the boat.
