Fathers Who Fish

What is it that attracts people to fishing? Is it the thrill of the chase, catching a meal, or just relaxing? I, myself, have never really been attracted to fishing, but the men (and one granddaughter) in my family love to fish.

My father, Frank George Newhouse (1906-1972); my brother, Douglas Frank Newhouse (1948-2003); my son, Patrick Alan Oliver, and his children Daniel, Tyler, and Ashleigh were or are fishing enthusiasts.

My dad, Frank, was not a hunter – except for game birds – but he did fish. He did not camp out in the wild; but, if there was a resort cabin near a fishing lake, river, or stream, he was all gung-ho.  Since we lived in Minnesota, his fishing was on one of the many “10,000 great lakes,” trout streams, and the Mississippi River. I grew up loving to eat freshwater fish.

Frank Newhouse - late 1940s

My brother, Doug, was introduced to fishing before he was five years old by my dad. His first fish, a trout, was captured in the below picture (look below the arrow). I have memories of him coming home from a couple of hours of fishing in the local lake with a whole bunch of bullheads. I thought they looked disgusting, and I do not remember ever eating them. However, my mom, Florence Swinburne Newhouse (1907-1997), always told Doug that she would cook whatever he brought home, as long as he cleaned it.  So, even though I do not remember eating bullheads – my husband has assured me they are edible – we must have had them at plenty of suppers as Doug kept bringing them home.

Doug's first fish with Dad looking on

Then there is my son, Patrick. When he was about seven years old, he talked my husband, Jim, into teaching him how to fish (and clean the fish), even though Jim, himself, is not a fisherman. [However, as a child, he did go fishing with his grandfather George Myron Oliver (1871-1953)]. From that time forward, there was no looking back. Patrick started fishing in Minnesota and continued to pursue this sport as he traveled around the U.S. during his 20-plus years in the military. Today, he is fishing in Virginia with his two sons Daniel, aged 12; Tyler, aged 9; and occasionally, his daughter Ashleigh, aged 6. I do not know if his children like to fish, but they always have a smile on their faces in the pictures I have seen.

Daniel getting some help from dad and then showing off his fish - May 2019

 As Father’s Day approaches, I cannot help but reflect on the fathers in my family who taught their children to fish. I think for the fathers the appeal of this pastime is about spending time with family, spending time relaxing, spending time in the great outdoors, and spending time making memories with their children.

Tyler with dad holding a whopper - 2016

Ashleigh - her 1st fish, 2017 (Dad is helping to hold it)

In Honor of Father's Day: A Father and a Grandfather

He only lived long enough to know one grandchild; he died at age 65.  His father never lived long enough to see his children grow up:  he died at age 42.  They are my father and my grandfather.

Frank George Newhouse was born on October 3, 1906, in Pine Island, Minnesota, to Dr. Fritz and Elizabeth Newhouse, and died on April 10, 1972.  Fritz Valentine Newhouse was born on February 14, 1880, in Pine Island, Minnesota, to George and Miriam Newhouse, and died on February 13, 1923. 

They both went to college:  Frank was an attorney; Fritz was a dentist.  Neither lived long enough to see their children graduate from college and/or graduate school.

One registered for the WWI Draft; the other served during WWII. 

They both loved baseball.  Fritz played on the Pine Island baseball team.  Frank watched baseball on television and attended the Minnesota Twins baseball games as often as he could.  Frank’s passion was most likely instilled by his father as seen by the below photo, taken when Frank was barely a year old.

Though celebrated locally, Father’s Day did not become a national day of recognition until 1972 when President Richard Nixon signed a congressional resolution to honor fathers on the third day in June.  Neither my father nor my grandfather lived long enough to be honored on Father’s Day.

I can only assume that my grandfather had the same traits as my father:  kind, generous, a good sense of humor, one to turn to in times of trouble. So today, for Father’s Day weekend, I honor both my father and the grandfather.  

 Newhouse Family Portrait, 1909

Elizabeth holding Frederick, Frank, and Fritz

Newhouse Family Portrait, about 1952

Florence and Frank, Douglas and Linda