By Louie Stout

A Father/Son Fishing Trip to Remember

Six-year-old Calister Canarecci has had a fascination with big catfish ever since he began watching youtube videos and televised fishing shows.

“Every time we drive by a body of water, he tells me, ‘Dad, I bet there are some giant catfish in there,’” said his dad Joe, a Mishawaka city councilman.

So one evening last week, Canarecci decided to introduce his son to catfishing from the shore of the St. Joseph River at Merrifield Park.

They baited a couple of rods with chicken livers, cast the baits into the river and let them bounce along the bottom.

“We hooked a couple of small catfish and Calister reeled them in,” said Canarecci. “The joy of watching a youngster wind in fish the first time is a sight to behold.”

As darkness fell, dad figured it was time to gather their gear and head home. An animated Calister was excited about the experience and talked dad into filming him with his cell phone, during which the boy prattled about his fishing prowess and told stories like an old fishing pro.

As they were about to wrap it up, line on the last fishing rod began to peel off the reel.

A fish had grabbed its chicken liver and was racing down river.

“The drag was set loose and noise from the line peeling off it sounded like a bumblebee,” described Canarecci. “Suddenly, the rod (propped on the railing) cut loose and flew into the river.”

The rod and reel belonged to the elder Canarecci’s late grandfather, so he wasn’t about to lose it. He scrambled down the rocky bank to the water’s edge where he could see the butt end floating 18 inches off shore.

Canarecci stepped in the water’s edge to reach for it only to discover an unforeseen drop-off. Down he went – cell phone, keys and wallet still in his pockets - and neck deep in river water.

Meanwhile Calister, who is quite the chatterbox, was freaking out over his dad falling into the river.

“The flip flops I was wearing came off and floated down river, but I was able to grab the rod, toss my cell phone on the bank and climb out of the water,” dad said.

He fought the big fish up and down 20 yards of shoreline while Calister offered encouragement as well as a few warnings.

“I was worried about the cell phone, but he kept saying, ‘Oh dad, you’re gonna be in trouble with mom because you lost your shoes!’” Canarecci said.

Finally the fish was landed – a giant catfish estimated to weigh between 15 and 20 pounds.

After a quick photo was snapped in the darkness, the fish was released alive and the two headed home.

“I was soaking wet and smelled like river water, but Calister came away with a fish story he’ll never forget,” said Canarecci. “His fishing expectations probably have been ruined, because he now thinks all fishing trips produce big fish.”