Due to my new-found love of watercolor painting, I have decided to devote more blogging posts to my paintings. On the first Wednesday of every month I will feature a new painting along with the story behind the painting. Without further ado, today I am featuring a painting that my son requested as part of his ninth birthday gift – a rainbow trout.
The request was not a surprise at all as fishing has been a passion of my son’s since he was old enough to sit up. He loved to sit in my husband’s lap while he fished at the early age of one – watching the line cast from the rod, waiting patiently until the bobber wiggled and dipped under the surface of the water, the building excitement of watching the fish being reeled in, and eventually touching the cool, slimy, scales of the fish was enough to keep my son interested for hours.
At two years of age, my son had reeled in his first walleye.
He started taking his own fish off the hook at the age of three…
… and at four he was baiting the hook, casting the line, reeling in the fish, and taking the fish off the line – all by himself.
My son turned into a fishing instructor at age five; teaching his younger sister how to fish, and how to lip a bass.
By the time my son was eight he was catching much bigger fish than his mother.
Today, my son’s love of fishing has only blossomed. This past year he has started to keep a tally of the types of fish he has caught: sunfish, crappie, northern pike, large-mouth bass, small-mouth bass, rock bass, sturgeon, walleye, shiners, perch, and bullhead have all been crossed off of his list. But, he still hasn’t hooked a trout.
Because of this, my son decided to have a trout-themed birthday. His goal for the next year was to hook and reel in a trout – preferably a rainbow – so he asked me if I would paint him a picture of a colorful rainbow trout for his birthday.
Of course I was more than happy to oblige, so “What’s at the End of the Rainbow? My Fly” was born.
I love my son’s passion for fishing, and I love the journey that fishing has brought to our family.
Does fishing run in your family? Do you have any fish tales to share? Or, maybe you’d like to comment on my painting.
Either way, I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below. Happy fishing!
Beautiful watercolor and story! I’m hoping to get my guys (8) interested in fishing this spring (if it ever feels like spring!) I love the patience it teaches–and it’s such a quiet activity. I need that! The old-timers drop crab lines off our community pier in the early mornings here in Maryland using chicken necks for bait. It’s fun to watch them pull in their catches!
Rebecca! I have a story for you: Last winter we took a road trip down to Grand Isle, a small fishing island in Louisiana, and one of our favorite memories was of an older man who invited our family to use his crab traps off of a dock. He showed the kids how to bait the traps with turkey necks, drop the traps in the water, check the traps, and take the crabs out. We only found one blue crab while we stayed on the island, but the kids sure were excited. I think I’d love to come to Maryland and sit with the old-timers while they drop their crab lines in the water – imagine the stories they’d tell.
If you’re at all interested in fishing, I’d go ahead and buy a rod or two. The peace you find on the water, the excitement of the fish biting, and the immersion in nature is second to none. I’m sure your kiddos will love it too.
Thanks so much for your kind compliment and thoughtful comment, Rebecca. Cheers!
We love to fish at dusk off of our pontoon when the world has quieted down. The sunnies and crappies start to bite with ferocity and we get the bonus of a stunning sunset…
The best of times! I can just hear the smack of the crappie lips on the surface of the water now. 🙂
My 4 yr. old Grandson, Benjamin, started fishing with his Father as a wee one too. My Son-in-law is an avid fisherman and is sharing his passion with Benjamin. They have matching fishing vests for their outings ( although I purchased Benjamin’s for his Paleontologist costume!). My Father was also an avid fisherman, deep sea fishing was his favorite. He loved the challenge of landing a tuna. Your watercolor Rainbow Trout is amazing! I shall look forward to more of your watercolors. You have a beautiful family and I enjoy your lovely photos. Thank-you!
Ellen, your comments always bring a smile to my day – thank you! And, thank you so very much for sharing your stories with me. There is definitely something magical about fishing. For my family it’s the time we get to spend together immersed in the great outdoors. The excitement of the fish bite is the cherry on top.
Thanks again for reading and taking the time to comment, Ellen. I’m so happy you’re enjoying the stories, photos, and paintings. I enjoy having you here!
This painting is beautiful. Love your story!
Thank you so very much, Orla! I’m finding that painting and writing compliment each other, and I’m having so much fun with this new adventure. Xx
Love the colorful fish!
Thanks, Sheila!
Ah Erin I love that painting (and your stories) so much!
I hope you are framing and adding all this art onto your walls. You are so, so good at capturing the wildlife around you. I especially love all the colours on this one!
Thank you, Josy! Your compliment means a lot. My son has his fish framed and hanging on his wall right now – the first one we have framed here. I’m hoping to do a large canvas with a chicken on it for our newly finished basement. I’m enjoying the thought of not having to buy any wall art. 🙂 Thanks so much for taking the time to comment!
I love all of this – the story, the photos and the painting! So much talent 😊
Debbie, thank you so much for your kind compliment. So glad you enjoyed this post, and thank you kindly for taking the time to read and comment – it means a lot.
What a fun way to combine two passions. The trout is lovely, but I smiled like a loon seeing your son and his dad fishing. Nothing, absolutely nothing, warms my heart more than a dad hugging his babies. A love of fishing is maybe learned, maybe genetic. But love—that’s magic.
It sure is! And, you should see all the pictures I have of the kids and their father – many of them are at the lake where they are fishing or swimming. The pictures make me melt too. 😊 Thanks for your sweet comment, Angela!
I just showed Master Three this post. He loves fishing too and adored your painting (as did I). He’s very inspired to head out with his rod now!
Ha! I hope he does – fishing is great. 🙂 I’m so happy you both enjoyed my trout. Painting is still so new to me so I appreciate all the feedback I can get. Thanks so much change for your kind comment, Amelia!
That painting is absolutely breathtaking, Erin! And your son looks adorable in the pictures. What a smile he has 🙂
Aww… Thank you, Shailaja! My son always has a smile when he’s fishing. It’s his happy place. Thanks so much for your sweet comment! ❤️
I went fishing with my Dad a few times, the cool thing was the first time was in Norway. Lovely painting and story to go with it, Erin.
Ooh, I bet the fishing in Norway was beautiful. I’d love to travel to Sweden and Norway to do some fishing with my family. We still have family living in Europe that we have yet to visit. I’m thinking I could get my husband to agree to a trip or two is fishing was involved. 🙂 Thanks so much for your kind comment, Lorna!
What a beautiful watercolor that is! And what a lovely story to go with it. Your kiddos are really cute!
Thank you so very much for all of your kind compliments, and thank you for taking the time to read and comment. I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. I look forward to sharing more paintings and stories. 🙂
Erin, fishing is very much a favourite NZ past time, though I was never as brave as you and your family. I enjoying the eating bit just not the catching!! Yes, I know! Love the painting. Looking forward to more discussion on the arty side of your world. Maybe after the good craziness of the awards have gone? 🙂
That sounds wonderful, Suzanne! I’m in the process of finding photos now – words are all finished. 🙂 As far as fishing goes, I have to say that I don’t fish as much as I used to because I actually feel bad for the fish and the bait. Now I observe much more than I partake. I love chatting with the family while they fish, observing the natural surroundings, and taking in all of the peace and quiet. 🙂 Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment!
What a gorgeous painting. I love the colours that you have used. My husband used to be into fishing but it has never appealed to me (other than to eat it of course)! I have to say, it does look beautiful from your pictures, the sea and the skyline the perfect backdrop.
Thank you for your kind compliment, Judy! I actually fish less than I used to. Now I enjoy helping the kids with whatever they need help with, maybe reading a book while they fish, and probably the most enjoyable is enjoying the perfect backdrop you mentioned. Being surrounded by nature is one of my favorite things. Thanks so much for reading and commenting, Judy!
Wonderful pictures, story, and your painting is gorgeous! I grew up fishing with my parents, sister, grandfather, and basically all of my dad’s side of the family; it’s funny how much I cherish memories of simply throwing a line in the water at the end of a dock, or going out in a canoe to fish in the middle of a lake.
Thanks for sharing some of your memories, Kelsey. Yes, there is something about fishing, or maybe the surroundings while fishing. It’s a quiet peace while you fish – plus, the conversation with other fisher people is usually great. I don’t fish as much as I do, but I’m probably out more now hanging out with my family. I love reading a book on the lake, taking in the wildlife, and helping the kids get the tangles out of their lines. Thank you for reading and taking the time to comment!
Super talented in many areas Erin. For an angling child that’s such a great gift too. Not only thoughtful, but time invested rather than grab a print off a shelf.
Lovely story behind it too. I used to enjoy piscatorial adventures myself once upon a time. So get this because of that.
Very impressive watercolour too.
Gary, thank you so very much for all of your kind words. I have to ask: what has stopped you from fishing? I don’t fish as much as I used to because I find that I enjoy just sitting and watching my family fish while enjoying the natural surroundings just as much or more than actual fishing. 🙂
That’s down to two of my closest school friends. We all shared the same ethos wrt nature and angling. One passed away through prostrate cancer and was the person I wrote the two memoirs about. The other had a very tragic life situation and went inside himself. We used to go night fishing over weekends regularly, but after that it never really felt the same. One day I may go again, but without either of them it feels like somethings missing.
That said if I’m near water then I’m always reading it and applying water craft looking for carp in particular!
I’m so sorry. I can see where it would be hard to fish after experiencing what you have. Your words remind me of what we call the raccoon cabin up at my family’s cabin.
The raccoon cabin has been empty for nearly 30 years (and raccoons have claimed the property), after the couple’s daughter died of cancer. The cabin was her favorite place to be. The parents have not been able to spend time there since, but the father comes up to mow the lawn weekly. Every time I see the cabin, I feel such a sadness. The pain has obviously been too much for them to be there, but at the same time, they can’t let the property go.
I hope at some point you’ll be able to fish again, and hopefully remember the great times you all had together. We have huge carp in a creek that runs behind our backyard. Seeing the large fish in the shallow creek always surprises me.
Thanks for sharing your story, Gary. x
Very similar to the reasons behind the raccoon cabin it seems. In my case it’s not a place a such, but missing friends. Ghosts of the past following the present kind of thing. Very good memories though having said that, but as with my half a twin story, it’s not quite the same afterwards.
You might find those carp use that shallow creek to spawn in. Often they migrate and check out side streams as safer havens for their young. Some might even home back in on their own spawning ground too.
Commercial fisheries have ruined their magic here to some extent. We used to seek out little known places and old estate lakes. Much quieter and more challenging. Off the beaten track produces far more magic in my opinion x
Most definitely! This is why fly-fishing in creeks and rivers is one of my favorite ways to fish. Almost 15 years ago, I fly-fished the Absaroka mountains in Montana – the surroundings were almost magical. Have you seen A River Runs Through It? The scene where Brad Pitt is standing on the large boulder while fly-fishing could have been set in these exact mountains. I felt like I was in a movie.
About the carp – I believe you are correct. We live just two block north of a lake which the creek runs out of. I am sure the carp used to travel from the lake up the creek. Much like you describe the commercial fisheries – the DNR just built a new dam-like structure that prohibits large fish from swimming up the creek. We haven’t seen the carp in some time. It’s sad when humans have to intervene with nature.
Thanks for the continued conversation, Gary! I always enjoy chatting with you.
Your artwork is lovely. What a keepsake for your son. I think finding anything/activity that brings us joy is a gift.
You are absolutely correct! Hobbies are the best for bringing joy. Writing and painting are both quiet joys for me. They give me peace, time to think and reflect, and time to just be me. Thanks so much for reading and taking the time to leave a kind comment.
I always look forward to reading about your lovely family….but this one is a bit of a prob, and even your gorgeous boy can’t get me over my “fish phobia”!!! Can’t even look at them – was a bitt of a prob when hubby had a huge tropical fish tank in our lounge!! I can look at your lovely watercolour though Erin , C x
HA! You had me laughing out loud, Claire! Yes, I can see where this post would have been a problem for you – lots of fish in this post. 🙂 I’m so happy that you could look at my painting, and thank you so very much for your kind compliment! Thanks for the great laugh!
What a sweet story! Your watercolor is gorgeous.
Thank you, Christine – for both of your kind compliments! 🙂
Beautiful! I love watercolors… so relaxing to do. Also I voted for you in the blogger bash awards – congrats on the nomination!
Well, thank you so very much for your kind comment and your vote too! You just made my day. Also, do you have favorite subject to paint? I’ve found that animals are what inspire me to paint. I’ve also dabbled in country or farm scenes, but I still need work on my landscapes. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment! 🙂
I just paint whatever I’m in the mood for… I tend to like female figures and I like to sketch art nouveau style girls. I’d like to get better at animals… but never really focused on them 🙂
This painting is so beautiful. So pretty. I love the colours you used. Also, your children are very cute 😍
Gorgeous painting, Erin! And I love how your son has grown as a fisherman from such an early age. So cute! I have memories, from back in Africa, of going out to the beach before sunrise with my parents and some uncles and aunts and cousins… We would all sit on the rocks or the nearby beach with blankets and flasks of hot tea and snacks whispering away (not to disturb the fish), enjoying the sound of the ocean and the stars above while the men wandered off onto the pier or the rocks further in to cast their lines and wait… lovely memories of beautiful family time. I don’t remember what was caught lol…
Char, thanks so very much for sharing your story. It brought a smile to my face. I can just picture your family on the beach. It reminds me of a trip we took to an island in LA. People were lining the beach in the morning and evening, but fished the pier all day long. Many people brought meals so they could fish all day.
Thanks again for your kind and thoughtful comment. 🙂
Beautiful painting. And that’s how I like my fish in a painting or in an aquarium.
Thanks, Jennifer! Not a fan of eating fish? I do love aquarium fish – so relaxing to watch. 🐠
Those pictures of your kids fishing are adorable and your painting is great!
Thank you for your kind words, Ellen! I appreciate you stopping by and taking the time to comment. Hope to see you back soon!
you paint so well^^, you re such a cool mum I should mention^^. your kids are so blessed to have you as parent. I never did fishing in my life but my youngest brother and my dad have done it on their quality time years ago, I really want to try it , one day soon hopefully^^
Thanks so much for your kind words, and I hope you do get to try fishing someday soon. We especially enjoy fly-fishing for trout. The trout streams are like no other – very wild and usually private. The fisherman or woman is truly immersed in nature.
I really do hope so too
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