Reflecting On A Fishing Reel

An old Shakespeare fishing reel has sat on my desk for 4 years of college, never moving, just sitting there. It has no purpose other than to serve as a memory or a reminder of something I’ve always loved to do. I got this reel my freshman year of high school, and it has served as my favorite to use ever since. The reel is made up of three different colors, black, blue, and silver. The silver is the color of the metal used in the reel; this is the spinner portion of the reel that holds the fishing line. The metal is not as shiny as originally intended because of the wear and tear from hours on the pond. There are a couple of rustic spots surrounding the outer layer of the reel which adds character to the object. The metal portion of the reel is designed to spin in circles and wrap the fishing line back around the base of the reel so the user can cast again. Sometimes when I’m sitting at my desk I pick up the reel and rotate the handle so that I can see the base of it spin. This is always a pleasant reminder of something I would rather be doing. In my mind, I always picture casting a line and seeing the metal glistening of the sun while I rotate the handle to reel it in. This image that so often plays in my mind has much more meaning to me than a nice day by the water. When I picture that image it refers me back to a feeling of comfort. I’m not exactly sure the specific reason why I get this feeling, but I know a number of things play into why I get that feeling of comfort and nostalgia. It reminds me of afternoons spent with my high school friends by the pond after soccer practice. It reminds me of catching my first bass with my brother and grandfather at a young age. Lastly, it reminds me of how simple life can be sometimes. An afternoon spent by a pond allows me to block out any distractions or worries I have on my mind, and lets me enjoy the quiet and beauty of my surroundings. To me there is nothing more calming and enjoyable.