A birthday toast for alongtime angler

In one of my earliest fishing memories, I recall my father encouraging me to sit still, watch my bobber, talk less and enjoy the peaceful water. I think I was about 7, and we hooked several brilliantly colored rainbow trout from an Oregon lake. I felt happy — that's my strongest recollection.

My 11-year-old daughter was talking recently about fishing with my dad, who she called Ba (short for grandpa, apparently). "Fishing with Ba is always fun because if you're having a down day, you can eat and talk and sit around and enjoy the water," she said. "If you're having a good day, you can enjoy the fishing."

Sounds like she also got the memo on the point of fishing — soaking up the peace of being on the water with someone you love. Although it also sounds like my dad's rules may have been amended to allow more talking.

June 10 is Dad's birthday. So as George turns 72 about 3,200 miles away in Eugene, Ore., my daughter, Junco, and I promise to toast him at sunset and tell a few fish tales.

He's good at that, too.

Any angler should be.

If you catch a fish at 10 a.m. and estimate its length while aboard the boat, but don't return to shore until 5 p.m., there's a chance the measurement could change. Surely the fish has shrunk a bit, being out of the water and all. So adding an inch for good-faith storytelling is acceptable, the unwritten Clayton mantra goes.

A fishing trip with Dad. COURTESY PHOTO Just ask my Aunt Nan, who is Dad's big sister. The fish-tale gene is not restricted to those with a Y chromos

Those who read this column should know. I'm as prone as George is. So on that note: Join me in wishing a longtime angler a happy day and read on for outdoors news and notes.

• SHE'S DOWN: A retired U.S. Air Force missile-tracking ship intentionally sunk to create an artificial reef in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary has opened for public use.

The 523-foot-long Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg that once tracked U.S. space launches off Cape Canaveral, monitored U.S. defense missile test launches and eavesdropped on Russian missile launches during the Cold War, is situated about seven miles south of Key West. The bottom of the ship's hull rests on sand at depths between 140 and 150 feet. But the ship is so massive that the superstructure extends to about 45 feet below the surface.

Project officials say it won't take long for the wreck to begin developing a marine ecosystem, but already it's fulfilling its purpose as a diving and angling attraction. When the Caloosa Dive Club meets for its monthly gathering June 18, I'd imagine I'll be hearing a bit of talk about it. Get more details yourself at www.fla-keys.com/diving.

• FORGET THE TIE: Father's Day is coming, but how many silk ties or barbecue tools can one dad have? Think about something he will use and that's good for the environment — and something that looks like you went to a bit of effort to come up with a clever idea.

At the newly opened Bottle Shop at www.greensender.com, you can customdesign and personalize a premium SIGG reusable water bottle. Using a high-tech laser-engraving process, Greensender engraves Dad's name and art selections on to the bottle

Personally, I get sick of hearing stats such as 30 billion plastic water bottles are thrown away each year. In fact, my hubby and daughter gave me a BPA-free water bottle (among other things) for Mother's Day, and I love it. If you want one of these greensender.com bottles, you'll pay $21 to $31. Father's Day orders must be ordered by Friday, June 12, if you're going to get it together in time. Go for it.

• HEAD'S UP: The boat ramp at Lovers Key State Park (aka the Carl Johnson ramp) remains closed for renovation. The plan is to have the popular Estero Boulevard site reopened for Independence Day weekend. Good news, since this is one of the few remaining free ramps — the park only asks for donations. More info: 463-4588.

To the north, powerboaters who use the Bokeelia Boat Ramp off Barrancas Avenue on Pine Island should note the site will close for major renovations on Monday, July 6. It will reopen in six to nine months. That's a long time, but this is good news because the ramp's slope and surface will be improved. If you've been there, you know what I'm saying. More info: 229-7367.

— Betsy Clayton is a freelancer based on Pine Island and also is Lee County Parks & Recreation's waterways coordinator. Contact her at boatingbybetsy@ yahoo.com.