Annual Send for Scott

[Hookmanski]

Yesterday was my dad's birthday, and like every year since his passing, I go out fishing to honor and remember him. I try to go to the rivers and streams we grew up fishing together, but with most of them heavily iced up this year I tried something a bit different.

Got to the stores of RVR at around 8:45 with Shiners and powerbait looking for some of those cruising winter trout. Also threw a variety of lures while the baited rods sat. Fished a few spots from then until around 1:30pm when I decided to go with plan b and see if I could find some open water.

I stopped by the main creek I wanted to fish only to find it basically at glacier status, so I kept hopping around to different spots until I finally found a stretch of good looking water that wasn't too iced up. Hiked a good ways, casting all the way, but no takers.

I checked a few spots upstream, all with the same results. At the last spot, I ended up hooking and losing a small rainbow right at my feet. It was nearly 4pm now and I was more than an hour from home, so I was ready to call it quits, but I figured I'd try one last hole.

I was rewarded with not one but two rainbows in two casts. Fishing is perseverance, and just like in life there is a light at the end of the tunnel, or a fish in that very last hole.

As many of you may know, my father and brother both lost their lives to suicide. I try to use this day to advocate for awareness, especially because men are so heavily effected by it. Talk if you need to talk, cry if you need to cry, it doesn't make you any less of a man.

This trip was a lot harder this year, since it is the first time doing it since my brother passed. My dad's birthday was his half birthday. I hope by sharing my story it might help someone out there who is struggling with their mental health.

Tight lines everyone, and take care of yourselves!