Family Fishing Memories

I grew up on a farm in rural northern Montgomery County in a small community called Ophir. I was one of 11 children born to Dock and Hazel Gooch. My parents worked hard to provide, and each child had certain chores to do daily depending on age. But come the weekend after Labor Day each year, we all went to Holden Beach for a weekend of fun.

Not only did our large family go, but our dearly loved MamMaw, aunts, uncles, cousins and some friends went too. On Saturday, the women watched the children playing in the sand and splashing in the ocean while the men fished. If the catch was good, the men cleaned the fish and the women made all the trimmings for a big fish fry. Oh! How good everything was.

Daddy, Momma, MamMaw, three brothers, two sisters, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends have passed away, but there are still a large number of us, and the family grows each year. Brother Steve Gooch has made sure the family tradition of the annual Gooch fishing trip still goes on. A few things have changed. The location is now Carolina Beach for that September weekend. Everyone has four-wheel-drive trucks, and they line up on the beach, sometimes 20 or more, while everyone enjoys a day of fishing and visiting. A beautiful sight to see and memories still being made. I know Daddy and Momma are smiling.

Linda Karriker, Troy, a member of Randolph Electric