Fishing Strings Generations Together

Through the years each new generation in our family has been introduced to my grandpa E. E.’ Sr. ( Punch’s) love of fishing. Daughters the same as sons learned to fish. Everyone in our family enjoyed fishing and being around water. My grandfather E. E. Hammons, Sr. must be smiling down from Heaven, to know his love of nature and fishing strings generations together.

I try to keep my emotions from overflowing as I view old photos of family. I look at pictures once again of my nephews. I love them all. They are grown men married with children, and some have grandchildren of their own. With spring and warmer temperatures I reminisce about several family gatherings with the boys. One is a memory years ago when family gathered at Guist Creek, in Shelbyville, Kentucky for an overnight camping/fishing trip. The excitement was plain to see in the faces of my nephews, Tony and Mark. They were so excited to be with their granddad, my dad to fish. They were ready to catch “a big one”.
After arriving at the Guist Creek lake, following the hugs and welcome from family the fishing commenced. The boys in lifejackets with fishing gear in hand, stood still with smiling faces. They found a safe spot to set up. With help they baited their hooks and put sinkers on their lines. Their fishing began! All adults watched the young fisherman from a safe distance. After a while the boys’ grandfather my dad (Junior), moved closer to them. He was offering verbal instructions and began showing them how to cast their lines out further into the water. The boys observed, and responded by trying hard to follow his directions. They watched their grandpa as he moved along the bank. Grandpa was casting slowly with precision landing his lure just where he wanted it in the water! The boys followed him up the bank, casting a little closer to edge of the bank. Then it happened!! Tony got his very first big catch of the day! Their shrieks and yells of excitement almost drowned out my dad‘s distinctive laugh. The sounds of excitement echoed across the creek. Everyone rushed to the boys cheering on their success. At the same time, grandpa instructed them how to unhook the catch. The day got better for the boys, casting out again and again. Each thrill of the pop of the bobber signaled another catch.

As I look back on that day, I’m convinced my grandfather’s love of fishing had just been passed on to a new generation that summer day. I cherish the memory of that special day! It recalls the sweet young faces of my nephews first fishing trip. The joy for me watching was their thrill and excitement, and the birth of a new generation of fisherman. I also will never forget my dad’s delight after they popped another catch. He was as excited as them! The boys were so happy as they told their mom what a great fisherman grandpa was and how they were gonna be just like him one day.
My grandpa E. E. Sr. learned at a young age fishing was good for the soul. He came from a large family and lived on a farm at Turkey Creek, Kentucky. He told us as a young boy he fished the creeks and streams around the farm. When he was alive, he often said, being near the water was the most relaxing way to unwind nerves. He knew fishing puts you in “communication with nature“
I know, without a doubt he passed his love for fishing onto my dad, then to each of my brothers fishing the Cumberland River. My granddad and his brother bought land on the Cumberland River near Burnside, KY. Family still owns this Hammons Camp called Punch’s End. Family still enjoys the fishing and water there today.

Nephew Mark moved to bigger waters in Florida. He took my dad’s old, worn bass fishing boat to Florida and refurbished it for his sons and him to enjoy. To say his boys love fishing is an understatement. They truly have the love of fishing that began with their great-great grandfather. They are the fifth generation of Hammons’ fishermen. I know E. E. “Punch” is smiling with each catch. And, coincidentally he had a place in Florida, too!