Celebrating Father’s Day: Memories of Fishing with My Dad So, pull up a chair for a minute, friend…
As Father’s Day approaches, I find myself thinking back on some of the sweetest memories I have — the days I spent fishing with my dad.
We were very close. Some of my favorite moments growing up happened out on the water at Bull Shoals Lake in Arkansas. It was only about a 20-minute drive from our home and the flower shop, so it didn’t take much planning. Just a little time, a fishing pole, and being together.
Those were simple days, but they meant everything.
My dad passed away at the age of 79, just after retiring, due to an aneurysm. Losing him wasn’t easy, but I’m so thankful for the time we had and the memories that still feel close, even today.
Grandchildren and Fishing
Grandchildren, Fishing, and Carrying On Traditions
One of the greatest blessings is that my dad lived long enough to share his love of fishing with my children.
When they came to visit, he would take them to the trout farm and let them catch fish for dinner. There was something special about watching that — a grandfather passing down something he loved.
And let me tell you… Those dinners were something to remember.
He would clean the fish right there and cook it fresh, always with his famous hushpuppies on the side. There’s just nothing like a meal made from something you caught yourself, especially when it’s made with love.
Fishing wasn’t just something he did — it was part of who he was.
Fishing Friends and Long Days on the Water
Dad had his fishing buddies, too, and those friendships were just as much a part of the story.
I remember him and Daryl Greenhaw bringing home piles of black bass and crappie. They’d spread everything out on paper across the big floral table in the shop to clean the fish before freezing them for future meals.
It wasn’t just about fishing. It was about community.
Ed Mysinger was another one of his close fishing friends. Both of their wives worked in our family flower shop, and they were like extended family to us.
Those men fished every chance they got — day or night.
And now and then, I got to go along too… especially on those night fishing trips. Those are memories I’ll always hold onto.
How Did Father’s Day Start?
Father’s Day has a meaningful history that many people don’t know.
The first event honoring fathers took place in 1908 in West Virginia, remembering 362 men who lost their lives in a mining disaster.
The idea of Father’s Day as we know it today came from Sonora Smart Dodd, often called the mother of Father’s Day. After hearing a Mother’s Day sermon in 1909, she wanted to honor her own father, who raised six children on his own.
The first official Father’s Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910.
Many years later, in 1972, President Richard Nixon signed it into law as a national holiday in the United States.
Today, we celebrate Father’s Day on the third Sunday in June.
Still need that special gift for Father’s Day?
Still Need a Father’s Day Gift?
If you’re still looking for that perfect gift, there are so many thoughtful options to consider.
From health products, travel ideas, and more, there’s something meaningful for every kind of dad.
Sometimes the best gift isn’t just something you buy — it’s something that helps create another memory.
A Time to Remember
Father’s Day is more than just a date on the calendar.
It’s a time to reflect… to appreciate… and to remember.
Whether your father is still with you or lives on in your memories, those moments you shared matter more than anything else.
And if you’re lucky enough to still have him, maybe take a little time this year to sit, talk, and make one more memory.
Another story from the front porch of Karingworks Evolution
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Another story from the front porch of Karingworks Evolution.