logo
Weather page
GET THE APP
ePaper
google_play
app_store
  • Login
  • E-Edition
    • Marketplace
  • News
  • Sports
  • Obituaries
  • Opinion
  • Classifieds
    • Place an Ad
    • All Listings
    • Jobs
  • Special Sections
  • Photo Gallery
  • Contests
  • Lifestyle/Entertainment
  • Games
    • News
      • Local News
      • PA State News
      • Nation/World
    • Sports
      • Local
      • College Sports
      • State
      • National
    • Obituaries
    • Opinion
      • News
        • Local News
        • PA State News
        • Nation/World
      • Sports
        • Local
        • College Sports
        • State
        • National
      • Obituaries
      • Opinion
    logo
    • Classifieds
      • Place an Ad
      • All Listings
      • Jobs
    • E-Edition
      • Marketplace
    • Subscribe
    • Login
      • Classifieds
        • Place an Ad
        • All Listings
        • Jobs
      • E-Edition
        • Marketplace
      • Subscribe
      • Login
    Home Comment & Opinion Remembering the little things
    Remembering the little things
    Photographs are magical in that they capture a moment in time, allow you to look back into the past and relive in a way what then took place. Just walking by my wife's picture took me back to a memorable day when we were still together doing what we loved.
    Wade Robertson
    Comment & Opinion, Opinion, Outdoors, Sports, Sports
    May 29, 2025

    Remembering the little things

    I walked by Jane’s photo and stopped, captivated by those green, slightly mocking eyes smiling out at me. Unbidden memories surged to the surface and I turned and sat down, letting them rekindle the past.

    We’d rolled out of bed early that morning, thankful the canoe was on the car, the rods and tackle boxes already packed and stowed. Out to the kitchen for a quick slice of peanut butter toast and some orange juice.

    I gave Jane a hug and a kiss, looking again into those eyes I loved so much and we were out the door into the predawn darkness.

    Arriving at the lake we launched the canoe. The birds were chirping now and a few cold frogs halfheartedly croaking. A great blue heron gave a disgusted squawk as it jumped up and flew away from the launch, those long legs caressing the water’s smooth surface.

    The morning air was incredibly fresh, filled with the fragrance of green grass, ferns, sweet dew, lake water and wet tree bark. The intoxicating aroma brings back a flood of similar mornings and wonderful adventures.

    The lake was a mirror, a light mist rising from its glass-like finish; reflexing the shoreline like a master’s painting. The scene was almost too perfect and beautiful to be believed. We stood silently for a moment gazing in appreciation and felt a reverence deep inside for all creation.

    It’s moments like this God seems close indeed.

    Despite our timely appearance and the grandeur of the morning our casts along the shoreline proved fruitless. We changed lures, tried different presentations and still didn’t have a fish to show for our efforts. I did see a bass or two, but they were not apparently feeling very hungry.

    What to do?

    I sat back and looked carefully around. The mists were rapidly dissolving before the sun’s brightening rays and an osprey soared overhead twisting his head downward searching for his breakfast. The fly catchers soared and curved in mathematically precise formulas chasing bugs and moths.

    As I watched, a deer stepped out of the woods, crossed a small meadow and stood for a moment in the warm sunshine, its summer red coat gleaming against the green grasses.

    The day was in full swing it seemed, a shame the fish weren’t cooperating.

    Turning to the lake I examined it closely, looking for any clue or sign of activity. There, in deeper water, I saw the quivering, barely seen dimples of minnows touching the surface. Looking harder still, I soon picked out several other areas where minnows were surfacing. The baitfish were at least 200 yards from shore. We picked up our paddles and approached the first school of minnows.

    When the baitfish congregate the predators can’t be far away!

    It didn’t take long until I had a solid hit. Sharply setting the hook brought a bass flying out of the water. I set the hook one more time; the first try lacked that satisfying “thump” you like to feel when the hook bites home. The bass bored deep and then jumped a second time before Jane scooped it in. The fish was 17 inches long with clean, sharp markings; from the olive green back to the variegated black pattern running lengthwise down the lateral line and clean white belly. The fish was beautiful.

    A little later I had a hard hit on a swim-bait and landed a second bass twin to the first.

    Poor Jane was whipping the water white, cast after cast, but hadn’t had a hit. She wasn’t thrilled about her poor luck, but experience had taught her to just keep casting and not complain.

    Luck comes in bunches, one person catching several fish in a row before Lady Luck smiles on the other angler. Then, the first angler bemoans their fate, but they too philosophically keep casting. There is no way to figure out any rhyme or reason to this often repeated pattern.

    Of course, it is best when both anglers are happily catching fish, but you can’t count on it.

    The sun was high in the clear sky now, the temperature rising quickly. The minnows disappeared. I set my rod down, and began rearranging my messy tackle box, trying to straighten things up a bit. Jane noticed a large patch of floating weeds nearby and while I was busy, picked up the paddle and eased her way over to them, then cast.

    Suddenly, the canoe jerked, rocking slightly; I knew that motion from experience, Jane had set the hook!

    Looking up I saw her rod was bent over and a grim smile of determination etched on her face. She was into a fish, finally! After a sharp battle with a jump boatside I netted a fat, sassy pike. Not huge, 26-inches long, but most importantly, she hadn’t been skunked!

    Jane was all smiles and I grinned back, thrilled for her.

    What a beautiful and soothing morning. As we glided back to the car I replayed this morning’s experiences. My wife’s eyes, the mirror-like lake at dawn, the smell of grass and fern and the reverence we felt as the day was born. The challenge of fishing and its anticipation, the thrill and rush of a strike. The opportunity to spend time with my wife and share in her success.

    Yes, it’s the little things that touch your heart and soul.

    {"to-print":"To print", "bradfordera-website":"Website"}

    The Bradford Era

    Local & Social
    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store
    Latest news for you
    Sole gas pump in Germania finds new life
    Local News, PA State News
    Sole gas pump in Germania finds new life
    By CHRISTINA LENGYEL The Center Square 
    July 17, 2025
    GERMANIA — Last year, Kim Manchego and her daughter left jobs in Wyoming’s funeral industry to run a country store in the Potter County, Pennsylvania,...
    Read More...
    {"to-print":"To print", "bradfordera-website":"Website"}
    The Pittsburgh Steelers make star linebacker T.J. Watt the NFL’s highest-paid defender
    Football, Local Sports, National Sports, ...
    The Pittsburgh Steelers make star linebacker T.J. Watt the NFL’s highest-paid defender
    By WILL GRAVES - AP Sports Writer 
    July 17, 2025
    PITTSBURGH (AP) — T.J. Watt has wanted to be a “one-helmet guy” from the second he arrived in Pittsburgh eight years ago. The star outside linebacker ...
    Read More...
    {"ap":"AP"}{"ap-draft":"AP Draft", "to-print":"To print", "bradfordera-website":"Website"}
    Juul gets FDA’s OK to keep selling tobacco and menthol e-cigarettes
    Business, Nation & World
    Juul gets FDA’s OK to keep selling tobacco and menthol e-cigarettes
    By MATTHEW PERRONE - AP Health Writer 
    July 17, 2025
    WASHINGTON (AP) — The Food and Drug Administration is allowing vaping brand Juul to keep its e-cigarettes on the market, providing relief to a company...
    Read More...
    Wall Street cruises to more records as PepsiCo and tech stocks rally
    Business, Nation & World
    Wall Street cruises to more records as PepsiCo and tech stocks rally
    By STAN CHOE - AP Business Writer 
    July 17, 2025
    NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street rose to records on Thursday following better-than-expected updates on the economy and a mixed set of profit reports from b...
    Read More...
    {"to-print":"To print", "bradfordera-website":"Website"}
    Made in Bradford ’25 to celebrate local artisans, Zippo legacy, Case milestone
    Business, Local News
    Made in Bradford ’25 to celebrate local artisans, Zippo legacy, Case milestone
    July 17, 2025
    The Zippo/Case Museum & Flagship Store will host the annual, free to attend Made in Bradford Celebration from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The family-f...
    Read More...
    {"newsletter-daily-headlines":"Daily Headlines", "newsletters":"Newsletters", "to-print":"To print", "bradfordera-website":"Website"}
    Band, ice cream social at Hamlin Library on Sunday
    Local News
    Band, ice cream social at Hamlin Library on Sunday
    July 17, 2025
    SMETHPORT — Hamlin Memorial Library will host an Ice Cream Social with the Twin Tiers Community Band at 3 p.m. Sunday. The Duck Race originally schedu...
    Read More...
    This Week's Ads
    Current e-Edition
    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store
    Already a subscriber? Click the image to view the latest e-edition.
    Don't have a subscription? Click here to see our subscription options.
    Mobile App

    Download Now

    The Bradford Era mobile app brings you the latest local breaking news, updates, and more. Read the Bradford Era on your mobile device just as it appears in print.

    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store

    Help Our Community

    Please help local businesses by taking an online survey to help us navigate through these unprecedented times. None of the responses will be shared or used for any other purpose except to better serve our community. The survey is at: www.pulsepoll.com $1,000 is being awarded. Everyone completing the survey will be able to enter a contest to Win as our way of saying, "Thank You" for your time. Thank You!

    Get in touch with The Bradford Era
    Submit Content
    • Submit News
    • Letter to the Editor
    • Place Wedding Announcement
      • Submit News
      • Letter to the Editor
      • Place Wedding Announcement
    Advertise
    • Place Birth Announcement
    • Place Anniversary Announcement
    • Place Obituary Call (814) 368-3173
      • Place Birth Announcement
      • Place Anniversary Announcement
      • Place Obituary Call (814) 368-3173
    Subscribe
    • Start a Subscription
    • e-Edition
    • Contact Us
      • Start a Subscription
      • e-Edition
      • Contact Us
    CMG | Community Media Group
    Illinois
    • Hancock Journal-Pilot
    • Iroquois Times-Republic
    • Journal-Republican
    • The News-Gazette
      • Hancock Journal-Pilot
      • Iroquois Times-Republic
      • Journal-Republican
      • The News-Gazette
    Indiana
    • Fountain Co. Neighbor
    • Herald Journal
    • KV Post News
    • Newton Co. Enterprise
    • Rensselaer Republican
    • Review-Republican
      • Fountain Co. Neighbor
      • Herald Journal
      • KV Post News
      • Newton Co. Enterprise
      • Rensselaer Republican
      • Review-Republican
    Iowa
    • Atlantic News Telegraph
    • Audubon Advocate-Journal
    • Barr’s Post Card News
    • Burlington Hawk Eye
    • Collector’s Journal
    • Fayette County Union
    • Ft. Madison Daily Democrat
    • Independence Bulletin-Journal
    • Keokuk Daily Gate City
    • Oelwein Daily Register
    • Vinton Newspapers
    • Waverly Newspapers
      • Atlantic News Telegraph
      • Audubon Advocate-Journal
      • Barr’s Post Card News
      • Burlington Hawk Eye
      • Collector’s Journal
      • Fayette County Union
      • Ft. Madison Daily Democrat
      • Independence Bulletin-Journal
      • Keokuk Daily Gate City
      • Oelwein Daily Register
      • Vinton Newspapers
      • Waverly Newspapers
    Michigan
    • Iosco County News-Herald
    • Ludington Daily News
    • Oceana’s Herald-Journal
    • Oscoda Press
    • White Lake Beacon
      • Iosco County News-Herald
      • Ludington Daily News
      • Oceana’s Herald-Journal
      • Oscoda Press
      • White Lake Beacon
    New York
    • Finger Lakes Times
    • Olean Times Herald
    • Salamanca Press
      • Finger Lakes Times
      • Olean Times Herald
      • Salamanca Press
    Pennsylvania
    • Bradford Era
    • Clearfield Progress
    • Courier Express
    • Free Press Courier
    • Jeffersonian Democrat
    • Leader Vindicator
    • Potter Leader-Enterprise
    • The Wellsboro Gazette
      • Bradford Era
      • Clearfield Progress
      • Courier Express
      • Free Press Courier
      • Jeffersonian Democrat
      • Leader Vindicator
      • Potter Leader-Enterprise
      • The Wellsboro Gazette
    © Copyright The Bradford Era 43 Main St, Bradford, PA  | Terms of Use  | Privacy Policy
    Powered by TECNAVIA