For the Love of Fishing

by Bill Donnell, M.D., guest writer

GROWING UP in Wisconsin on the shores of Lake Michigan began what would become a lifelong love affair with fishing. Armed only with a cane pole, hook, bobber, worms and a bucket of determination and patience, I determined to do battle with jumbo perch.

Moving to Missouri, many years later, introduced me to a mecca for fishing: lakes, rivers, and springs. I remember purchasing my 1st Ultra lite pole and 3/8oz. spinner bait to impress a friend and his guide in pursuit of large mouth bass. Needless to say, after a futile day the guide kindly mentioned that I might try a heavier pole next time.

I have learned all I now know about "how to fish" from my dear friend, Dr. Monte Kahler, over the past 25 years. He has always said, "Billy, there is fishing and there is catching...it's all about the fishing." These are words to live by.

Years back I was lucky to be introduced to fishing in Canada. Fishing all day with nothing but the quiet sounds of rippling water and loons in the distance, eating fresh-caught fish by the campfire, and of course telling our stories about "the ones that got away" seemed like heaven-on-earth to me. Then we did it all over again the next day! I began taking my son on these trips and, to no surprise, have passed on my legacy of love of fishing to him.

I have never really figured out if it is just that old adage about "getting away from it all," or the peaceful quiet with nothing but sounds of water and birds, or just what exactly fuels this lifelong affair. But for me, it is the best stress-relief I could unknowingly have hoped for.

The years have passed, I am older and wiser and my equipment has definitely improved, but the one constant has remained...my love of fishing.
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-- Dr. Bill Donnell is a physician at the Bolivar Family Care Center in Bolivar, Missouri.  He is shown in the two photos above practicing his favorite leisure activity.