"I LOVE to fish!"

By Daniel

Hi, My Name is Daniel. I am 4 years old and I LOVE to fish. I'm sure that you have read the stories of how my older brothers (Lester "Bo" & Ryan) caught their first northern pike this summer. I had a special day fishing this last year also. (Just so you know, it was very special for Dad too). After reading their stories, I asked Dad to tell about mine.

On August 31, I was diagnosed with Leukemia. I spent several days in the hospital getting treatments. I was poked with more needles than most pincushions. Spinal taps, bone marrow samples, chemotherapy and blood draws were becoming a regular part of my life. In mid-October Dad said he was going to take a vacation day to spend with me, and we would do anything I wanted. The answer was easy. FISHING.

Dad said he was going to take me to White Clay Lake to do some perch fishing. It was a cool, windy Friday. We started out fishing at about 10:00. We were getting bites but couldn't catch them. Dad tried an old trick to get them hooked and it worked. After I caught the first one, I told Dad that after I caught my eighth fish, that would be enough for me to have for a good lunch. An hour later I caught my eighth perch. Dad took me out to Perkins for lunch. The next day Mom cooked those perch for my lunch, and were they ever good.

Submitted for Daniel by his Dad.

Thank you for the big fish story, Daniel (and Dad)! Keep on fishing.