Reading your thread sure does bring back some memories. I can relate to almost all the things that you mentioned. Cane poles, walking creek banks,catching sunfish and a host of other species, digging earthworms and scaling and frying the catch when we got home. I still have the Pflueger Supreme my dad used along with the metal rod. He introduce me to the art of casting with artificial baits, and yes, I had to learn to cast with both hands before I could have my own. My dad and I spent many days fishing together and that's the reason I enjoy it so much today. " Been thinkin also"