KEEPERS...

Matt with a pair of 'keepers'.

Perhaps the greatest fishing partner I have ever had has been my son, Matthew. Matt and I started fishing when he was about 4 or 5 years old and we haven't looked back. At our humble angling beginings at local farmponds for bluegills and bass, it is safe to say that, at times, we return to our roots. We did just that recently when we hit a nice 4 acre lake in the Mason Dixon area in quest of fillets. Yup...we needed fish-fry material. Keepers. What better way to break in the early season?

Chubbo bluegills make for good eats.

Our goal was to ice a dozen or more quality bluegills in the 9 to 10 inch range, fillet them up, and have a little fish fry. This is what we have done in my family for nearly 40 years, and about 4 -5 times a year. What a heritage...to catch, clean and eat the fish you catch from local waters! No store-bought tilapia, farm-raised catfish or proclaimed 'wild-caught' salmon on the high dollar. Naaww, we keep our fish and eat them, sometimes. That's the way it is.

Matt's first gill of the year, a robust 10-incher!

Despite cold northwest winds and 4 inches of wet, heavy snow the day prior, we donned waders and fished the wind-blown shallows with simple bobber/jig/bait combos on 4 pound test and let the wind do the work. Along the way, a bunch of 12 to 16 inch bass were in the panfish mix.

'And while I'm at it, gimme one of those 18-inch bass!

All the bass went back and at another pond, we got a few up to 18 inches. It was another father/son trip that had special meaning. A 'keeper'. And it led to some great eating! Here's the scoop...

Fillet nice sized bluegills so they are ready for the pan.

Fry em up in hot oil at 375 til crispy brown.

Drain on paper towels and fight over them with family members.

It was all 4 adults and 2 young uns could do to down 26 fillets from those big gills. But we did it! And after a long afternoon nap, I had to reflect on the past few weeks of fishing...

Matt's first bass of the year is a nice 18-incher.

On this day, most fish were right at my feet in the muddy water.

This plus sized girl gave me a spectacular leap in chilly 50 degree water.

Ooodles of 2 pounders along the way.

Big head and skinny body...needs a few meals.

Ole Swooptail showed up. We caught her 4 times last year.

And, of course, dinks are always available.

There is something to be said about patterns, dependable lures, local ponds and fishing with family. It all would never be possible without God's Blessing. You see...I don't deserve all these cool fishing trips, or big fish, or great times with my precious son or even a hearty meal of fresh bluegills. I don't deserve my beautiful wife of 38 years or early retirement or two beautiful grand daughters. The truth is the majority of my life, I have been a self-centered, egotistical, prideful, lustful, boastful and just plain sinful wreak of a man. In and unto myself, I bring absolutely nothing to the table to please God. He can do just fine without me. He simply doesn't need me to bring Glory to Him in my unsalvedged state. I deserve hell.

But the cool thing is...He sought me out, anyway. Just like he is seeking you, right now, through this blog you are reading about this broken-down, shell-of-a-man who just so happens to like fishing. And...I might have enjoyed these things even if I did not give my life to Jesus some 39 years ago. Don't know. But I do know this...my live was empty, but now, and for a long time, has been made whole through the life-changing process of submitting to Christ as King. It's called grace, forgiveness, and it's free. And no, it's not perfect on this fallen and sinful planet. As it states in John 16:33...

'I have told you these things so that, in me, you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! For I have overcome the world.'

That verse, my friend, is a 'keeper', one you don't throw back. Put that one in your live well and meditate on it. When you feel the pressures of this fallen, sinful world are crushing you, pull it out and admire it, like a prized catch, and take a photo of it for your memory. Accept and embrace Jesus...He will never throw you back, or release you once you accept Him into your heart. It will be the catch of a lifetime!