When I was growing up fishing tackle was sold in gas stations and hardware stores. The first spincast rod and reel combo I got was from the Holiday gas station. It was suppose to be simple to use and refill with fishing line when I messed it up which happened often. These infallible spincast reels were great for young, inexperienced anglers who had not mastered the art of casting with a baitcaster. Like most young kids we were only allowed to go fishing at the pond or river with a parent so that often meant waiting around and that’s where this story begins. I suppose my dad would have more hair on his head had I not insisted on casting that fishing rod every opportunity. Of course sometimes that meant casting it in the backyard. Now, we had a large lawn next to our house with large windows that normally in the summer would be open since we didn’t have air conditioning.

Before I get too far into this story I need to get a few facts right. Now back in the day we didn’t have cable TV or any fishing shows on to watch. All we had was magazines and apparently they were somewhat misleading with some of their facts. The story in question showed photos of anglers making casts into small buckets at long distances. They went over and over how the accomplished angler could easily cast 75 feet into a small bucket. I knew that when they were talking about the accomplished angler they really meant me because of my bluegill catching skills. When you are young it’s strange how everything seems possible. This was only amplified because Dad inspired us boys with the confidence to achieve anything we set our minds too. With this confidence, I set out to prove my superior casting skill to all of the world and in particular my dad.

Before I go any further I would love to blame this on my younger brother, but I don’t remember now if he was there at the time. If he was either his casting skills were more accomplished or maybe it was just my fate. Here are the facts as I remember them, but bear in mind it happened over 40 years ago.

We had a pretty good size backyard growing up and that became my practice casting area. Now my dad may differ on this, but I distinctly remember putting the small bucket in the middle of the yard, well away from the house. After putting the small bucket down, I paced out 75 feet in distance from it. Turning around, I checked for windage and eyeballed that small bucket down. I thought to myself how hard can this be to make a cast in to a bucket. Maybe I was getting a little cocky thinking after I do 75 feet it will have to be put out another 25 feet. Grabbing my rod it was time to make my cast. Just like the accomplished angler in the magazine I had a fancy practice casting plug. Mine was red with slots so it could be casted accurately and for long distance.

I made the first cast with the reel then followed it up with a few more practice casts. Now anyone who has ever casted a spincast knows that they are not really easy to control like a baitcaster. Reaching back on my first real cast I put it half the distance from the small bucket. For some reason the accomplished angler in the magazine had made it sound so much easier. It was time to put some heat on the next cast so I coiled up like a snake and whipped it out. The next sound I heard was of breaking glass. Confused, I looked at the bucket. It was plastic. There was no way it could make that noise then I looked towards the house. Unbelievable…not only had I just missed the window screen, but sent my red casting plug through two glass windowpanes. My heart sunk while my mind raced with thoughts and none of them positive.

Every dad has had one of those days when they come home to find their son has made a mistake. Some mistakes are easier to forgive than others, but all of them can be forgiven. The truth be told some things in life can never be changed once they happen. I know there are a few things that I would have liked to change, but one of them I wouldn’t change for the world is my dad.

Dean "Cuppy" Wiegmann