"There is no losing in fishing. You either catch or learn. Either way, it's way better than work." 

          F is for fish. Ever since I was three, I have loved being out on the water and waiting for a bite. My first fishing trip was my grandfather, mother, and me. The three of us went redfish fishing. My mother and I caught a large redfish on a small Snoopy pole. She says that my grandfather said it was his favorite trip. Most of the time I went fishing it was with my grandfather, which we called Opa. Opa is German for grandfather.

          I remember one fishing trip; it was my cousins Victoria, Gabbie, and Savannah, Opa, and me. Opa was sitting in his usual spot by the motor, Vicky and Savannah were at the bow, and I was standing on the side behind Gabby. Well, when Gabby went to cast, she got the hook stuck in my back. It kind of felt like a sting of a bee or a wasp. Where I got hooked, it was a pinprick of blood. Since that day, I have never stood directly behind her or anyone else that is right-handed.

          There was this other fishing trip. I was about six and my cousin Victoria was about ten. It was just Opa, Vicky, and me. Those were most of my fishing trips, just the three of us. I always enjoyed those. Well, while we were in the middle of our trip, it started to pour. Vicky and I sat under an umbrella with a portable radio eating tuna and crackers. Opa, being the avid fisherman he is, continued fishing even in the pouring rain.

          Because of Opa, most the girls were perfectly comfortable with worms, shrimp, getting dirty, all the things most girls detest. He would take us on our first fishing trips when we were three; it was kind of like a tradition. The kids, their mothers, and he would go on a trip when the children turned three.

          Now, since we go fishing all day, we pack non-perishables. My favorite fishing snack was seasoned canned tuna and crackers. I often shared a can of tuna with Vicky.
Out of my siblings, I spent the most time with Opa. Every summer, weekend, and break I spent at his house. He would wake me early in the morning and take me fishing; it was how we bonded. Really, the only person I would fish with was Opa. For the next two years, after he died, I refused to fish. Anytime someone would mention fishing, I would break down crying. He was my whole, and now, just so I keep his memory alive, I go fishing every chance I get. I even joined the fishing club to go out fishing more often.

          Sometimes I like to think he's still with me, even if he isn't with me in a body. Every time I cry about missing him, I know he wouldn't want me to cry. Opa would want me and everyone to smile even if he's gone.

          Fishing is a big part of my life. When I get the chance to, I learn what I can about it. I hope that I can become much better at fishing in the next couple of years.