Pass It On is a new, bi-weekly peek inside the heart and mind of Francis Pass…

Listen:

Click the play button to listen to Francis Pass tell this story.

Every once in a while, my fishing pole and I would head over and spend some quality time on the bank of Lowell Foster’s pond.

My dog Poochie would tag along, too. Part-chihuahua, part-rat terrier. He was somethin’, that Poochie.

The journey to Mr. Foster’s pond was long, hilly, and steep. You’ve heard the expression “uphill both ways.” That was my route. And I tell ya, it was a haul. But it was worth it because it eventually led to a big, beautiful pond.

I remember one very good day. Using some plastic worms, I caught four – count ‘em – FOUR good-sized bass.

I lugged those lunkers up the hill and back home where dad and I cleaned ‘em up good. Then dad would cook them up good.

Now, dad wasn’t a fan of filets. That was a waste of good fish meat. So he fried ‘em up whole.

That was the first time I ever had bass. And, man, it was so good.

I miss that pond. It was in Dongola, just east of I-57. Of course, back then, they were still building the interstate. I’d see and hear those big trucks lumbering up and down the dirt road. Every now and then, I’d hear a blast of dynamite, too.

Otherwise, Lowell Foster’s pond was just about the most peaceful place on earth.

I’ve been thinking a lot about that pond lately.

I haven’t been fishing much since I was a kid. And, even then, I didn’t fish as much as I wanted to.

But I’ve made up my mind. This year, I’m gonna go fishin’. And I want to take my grandkids with me. Maybe my great-grandkids, too.

I’m too old to tackle the hill leading to Lowell Foster’s pond. So we’ll probably stay close and head over to Crab Orchard Lake.

I hope my grandkids and I enjoy our time together. Maybe we’ll catch a few good-sized bass to take back and cook up just like dad used to.

But, y’know, even if we don’t get a nibble, it’ll be worth it.

Friend, I hope you spend some time doin’ the things you enjoy with the people you love.

Maybe my grandkids and I will see you out on the lake.

Be well. Stay well. Thanks for readin’.

Francis Pass

P.S. – Did you know that the largest fish ever caught with a rod and reel was a 3,427-pound great white shark? I don’t think we’ll see any of those swimmin’ around Crab Orchard.