Dad's Bamboo Fishing Rod: It was sometime in 1942 or 43, and we were fishing at Rock Bluff on Red River. There was a pretty strong current although the water was quite clear. We were...

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

It was sometime in 1942 or 43, and we were fishing at Rock Bluff on Red River. There was a pretty strong current although the water was quite clear. We were not catching anything, but just on the other side in Oklahoma, the fishermen over there were catching white bass quite often.

We were fishing with worms, but the white bass either were not interested, or they were congregated in the shallow water on the Oklahoma side of the river. It was both interesting and aggravating to see them catching fish and we were not.

Finally, up in the morning, perhaps 11:00, or so, they yelled that they were going to leave and if Dad wanted some of their bait, to cast his line across the river and they would attach a can to his line and put some of their bait in the can so we could begin catching bass too. (Now I must admit, I do not remember what their bait was, but guess they were fresh dead minnows, because we only had worms.)

Well, from the bank it was too far of a cast. Finally, Dad waded out into the river up to his waist and cast over but it was still a long distance, finally, going out as far as he could in the moving current, he tried to cast as hard and as far as he could.

What happened was the bamboo rod came apart and slipped out of the rod handle and slipped up the line momentarily, then the line parted and all the line and the rod disappeared into the river! Well, it ended the chance to get any bait from our friends across the river, but worse, it was the loss forever of Dad’s one and only bamboo rod. I must remind everyone that this was early in World War II and there was simply no tackle of any kind for sale. All such items were either discontinued or were re-directed to the war effort.

Talk about being ill. No one cried, but both of us were really shocked and disappointed with his loss of his best fishing rod. All that we had left were two old, steel fishing rods that were about 5 feet long and had permanent bends in them. We had to made out with these rods until the war was over and the manufacture and sales of fishing tackle began again.

People today in the current environment have not idea of what scarcity was like during the Second World War. Those things, like fishing tackle, were not available at any price, and you had to do without if you broke or lost what you had. After the war was over, Uncle Joe Samples, who had a small gas station in Idalou, Texas, sent my sister and me a sack full of Double Bubble Chewing Gum.

It was only then that we realized the war was over. However, due to our being used to rationing, we would never chew even one whole piece at a time. We would take a knife and cut one piece in half. That is all we would allow ourselves because we were used to having anything like that to being rationed and scarce. Just Sayin…RJS

GillsDeep916 Loc: Elk Grove, CA

Robert J Samples wrote:

It was sometime in 1942 or 43, and we were fishing at Rock Bluff on Red River. There was a pretty strong current although the water was quite clear. We were not catching anything, but just on the other side in Oklahoma, the fishermen over there were catching white bass quite often.

We were fishing with worms, but the white bass either were not interested, or they were congregated in the shallow water on the Oklahoma side of the river. It was both interesting and aggravating to see them catching fish and we were not.

Finally, up in the morning, perhaps 11:00, or so, they yelled that they were going to leave and if Dad wanted some of their bait, to cast his line across the river and they would attach a can to his line and put some of their bait in the can so we could begin catching bass too. (Now I must admit, I do not remember what their bait was, but guess they were fresh dead minnows, because we only had worms.)

Well, from the bank it was too far of a cast. Finally, Dad waded out into the river up to his waist and cast over but it was still a long distance, finally, going out as far as he could in the moving current, he tried to cast as hard and as far as he could.

What happened was the bamboo rod came apart and slipped out of the rod handle and slipped up the line momentarily, then the line parted and all the line and the rod disappeared into the river! Well, it ended the chance to get any bait from our friends across the river, but worse, it was the loss forever of Dad’s one and only bamboo rod. I must remind everyone that this was early in World War II and there was simply no tackle of any kind for sale. All such items were either discontinued or were re-directed to the war effort.

Talk about being ill. No one cried, but both of us were really shocked and disappointed with his loss of his best fishing rod. All that we had left were two old, steel fishing rods that were about 5 feet long and had permanent bends in them. We had to made out with these rods until the war was over and the manufacture and sales of fishing tackle began again.

People today in the current environment have not idea of what scarcity was like during the Second World War. Those things, like fishing tackle, were not available at any price, and you had to do without if you broke or lost what you had. After the war was over, Uncle Joe Samples, who had a small gas station in Idalou, Texas, sent my sister and me a sack full of Double Bubble Chewing Gum.

It was only then that we realized the war was over. However, due to our being used to rationing, we would never chew even one whole piece at a time. We would take a knife and cut one piece in half. That is all we would allow ourselves because we were used to having anything like that to being rationed and scarce. Just Sayin…RJS

It was sometime in 1942 or 43, and we were fishing... (show quote)

Nice read, thanks for sharing. I kind of wish I was born in the 40's or 50's. Obviously different and simpler times.

Tight Lines 🎣

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

GillsDeep916: As one who was there and did that, you haven't missed much in my opinion, plus there's nothing anyone can do about when they were born anyway. Thanks for reading my stories. Just Sayin...RJS

Huntm22 Loc: Northern Utah. - West Haven

Thanks again for sharing a bit of your life with us. Take care my friend.

GillsDeep916 Loc: Elk Grove, CA

Robert J Samples wrote:

GillsDeep916: As one who was there and did that, you haven't missed much in my opinion, plus there's nothing anyone can do about when they were born anyway. Thanks for reading my stories. Just Sayin...RJS

Love to read, thanks for sharing.

Tight Lines 🎣

Iowa Farmer Loc: Iowa City Iowa

Great story, as usual RJS!

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

Robert J Samples wrote:

It was sometime in 1942 or 43, and we were fishing at Rock Bluff on Red River. There was a pretty strong current although the water was quite clear. We were not catching anything, but just on the other side in Oklahoma, the fishermen over there were catching white bass quite often.

We were fishing with worms, but the white bass either were not interested, or they were congregated in the shallow water on the Oklahoma side of the river. It was both interesting and aggravating to see them catching fish and we were not.

Finally, up in the morning, perhaps 11:00, or so, they yelled that they were going to leave and if Dad wanted some of their bait, to cast his line across the river and they would attach a can to his line and put some of their bait in the can so we could begin catching bass too. (Now I must admit, I do not remember what their bait was, but guess they were fresh dead minnows, because we only had worms.)

Well, from the bank it was too far of a cast. Finally, Dad waded out into the river up to his waist and cast over but it was still a long distance, finally, going out as far as he could in the moving current, he tried to cast as hard and as far as he could.

What happened was the bamboo rod came apart and slipped out of the rod handle and slipped up the line momentarily, then the line parted and all the line and the rod disappeared into the river! Well, it ended the chance to get any bait from our friends across the river, but worse, it was the loss forever of Dad’s one and only bamboo rod. I must remind everyone that this was early in World War II and there was simply no tackle of any kind for sale. All such items were either discontinued or were re-directed to the war effort.

Talk about being ill. No one cried, but both of us were really shocked and disappointed with his loss of his best fishing rod. All that we had left were two old, steel fishing rods that were about 5 feet long and had permanent bends in them. We had to made out with these rods until the war was over and the manufacture and sales of fishing tackle began again.

People today in the current environment have not idea of what scarcity was like during the Second World War. Those things, like fishing tackle, were not available at any price, and you had to do without if you broke or lost what you had. After the war was over, Uncle Joe Samples, who had a small gas station in Idalou, Texas, sent my sister and me a sack full of Double Bubble Chewing Gum.

It was only then that we realized the war was over. However, due to our being used to rationing, we would never chew even one whole piece at a time. We would take a knife and cut one piece in half. That is all we would allow ourselves because we were used to having anything like that to being rationed and scarce. Just Sayin…RJS

It was sometime in 1942 or 43, and we were fishing... (show quote)

A heart wrenching story RJ, but probably one of thousands during the war. Thank you for sharing some of your life with us again.

BadFisherman Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

A good story, RJ. As kids in the 50s & 60s, my brothers & often fished with bamboo poles given to us by our grandfather. That, the hooks, lines and the bobbins were the extent of our fishing gear. We almost always went with worms or minnows caught in mason jars with a funnel tightened under the cap. We put cornmeal in 'em which drew in the minnows, yet they couldn't seem to get out through the small eye of the funnel. It was often easier to go with those minnows than dig for worms. Of course, we generally used what was most easily available to us.

For catfish, that was often chicken hearts, livers or gizzards on treble hooks.

Cubsfan Loc: Destin Florida

RJ , that’s the funniest story I ever heard. Tell it again.

Cubsfan Loc: Destin Florida

bamboo fishing rod , thats just funny. did it still have leaves on it?why didnt it float?did you tape the reel on ? or didnt they have tape back in the stone age? you tell funny stories old man.

neverfish Loc: petaluma california

Thanks RJS you ought to write a book. Life moves on quickly doesn’t it. My grandpa also had a bamboo pole wonder what ever became of them. I had a pool service business and a client came out one day to show me a shotgun my grandpa owned that he won in a poker game from grandpa he sold me the gun for $100 wonder what memories it had? Never to shoot as they say probably blow up in my face thin metal so it behind a door now so if someone came to rob me i can hit him with it i guess. Just Sayin

JKD

GREAT story RJ!!! Thank you! I remember too when bubble gum came back!!! AND ... I would cut each in half as well....
All the best,
Jack

saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor

Robert J Samples wrote:

It was sometime in 1942 or 43, and we were fishing at Rock Bluff on Red River. There was a pretty strong current although the water was quite clear. We were not catching anything, but just on the other side in Oklahoma, the fishermen over there were catching white bass quite often.

We were fishing with worms, but the white bass either were not interested, or they were congregated in the shallow water on the Oklahoma side of the river. It was both interesting and aggravating to see them catching fish and we were not.

Finally, up in the morning, perhaps 11:00, or so, they yelled that they were going to leave and if Dad wanted some of their bait, to cast his line across the river and they would attach a can to his line and put some of their bait in the can so we could begin catching bass too. (Now I must admit, I do not remember what their bait was, but guess they were fresh dead minnows, because we only had worms.)

Well, from the bank it was too far of a cast. Finally, Dad waded out into the river up to his waist and cast over but it was still a long distance, finally, going out as far as he could in the moving current, he tried to cast as hard and as far as he could.

What happened was the bamboo rod came apart and slipped out of the rod handle and slipped up the line momentarily, then the line parted and all the line and the rod disappeared into the river! Well, it ended the chance to get any bait from our friends across the river, but worse, it was the loss forever of Dad’s one and only bamboo rod. I must remind everyone that this was early in World War II and there was simply no tackle of any kind for sale. All such items were either discontinued or were re-directed to the war effort.

Talk about being ill. No one cried, but both of us were really shocked and disappointed with his loss of his best fishing rod. All that we had left were two old, steel fishing rods that were about 5 feet long and had permanent bends in them. We had to made out with these rods until the war was over and the manufacture and sales of fishing tackle began again.

People today in the current environment have not idea of what scarcity was like during the Second World War. Those things, like fishing tackle, were not available at any price, and you had to do without if you broke or lost what you had. After the war was over, Uncle Joe Samples, who had a small gas station in Idalou, Texas, sent my sister and me a sack full of Double Bubble Chewing Gum.

It was only then that we realized the war was over. However, due to our being used to rationing, we would never chew even one whole piece at a time. We would take a knife and cut one piece in half. That is all we would allow ourselves because we were used to having anything like that to being rationed and scarce. Just Sayin…RJS

It was sometime in 1942 or 43, and we were fishing... (show quote)

Hey RJS. What years did your Uncle Joe live in Idalou? What gas station did he own? After my Dad died in '64 we moved to Idalou from Hico to be near my Mom's folks and I grew up there till I graduated HS and entered the Air Force in '71.
Along with workin on the farm I worked at a couple of gas stations there in the late 60s. Small world.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Neverfish: Well, Hoss I have. It's called MY STORIES. I am in the process of getting a second one, MY STORIES, # 2 to the publisher. If you would like a copy of the first one, it is $20.00 including the book, shipping and sales tax.

I am not sure what the second one will cost because I have not been given the cost of the new book. Just Sayin...RJS

MrJohn Loc: Roseville, MN

Thank you for sharing some of your personal life and fishing history.