[F16 1UB]

I spent Christmas with my parents in Clermont, FL about 25 miles south of TV. They lived on the water at Lake Minniehaha in a quaint little 1 br home. Perfect for retirement. Awakening Christmas morning Dad said "Lets go wet a line." That meant fishing. We threw the rods in the boat and away we went into the fog. You couldn't see 100 ft. Once the rods were hung over the side we started drifting. I looked in the bottom of the boat and noticed a Quaker State bottle with line and a bicycle locked attached. I soon realized its purpose. The next thing I knew all 4 rods were jumping, lines became entwined, and the controlled chaos ensued. All of a sudden the Quaker State bottle was pitched over the side. A marker buoy. Well I'll be. We fished around the buoy until the bite subsided then Dad grabbed the Quaker Sate buoy and placed it back in the boat. This scenario played on for several hours with us catching dozens of crappies or what the locals refer to as specks. Most were 12" long and some even larger. Dad said, "You'll remember this Christmas as long as you live."

Last Sunday, Dec 13, while fishing a bass tournament on Henderson Chain of Lakes near Inverness, FL I watched an elderly gentleman drift fishing for "specks". The memory of Dad & I was replayed immediately as I watched with a smile on my face as he hoisted fish after fish inside the boat.

I lost my fishing buddy 16 years ago but he was right about one thing, I shall never forget Christmas Day 1978.

Who would have thought that I'd retire with my bride 31 years later in TV. Could it be history may repeat itself with possibly a grandson?