Customary at this time of the year is the emergence of early spring flowers and a tugging at the soul of those stimulated by the angling persuasion. In a valiant attempt to unfreeze the frozen extremities of all of us that live here in the unpredictable weather of New England, spring sends forth messengers of green as early as possible. Soon enough, they’ll be topped by flowers of myriad colors announcing a new season.

Another harbinger of spring is the inner urge to drag forth from winter exile those items connected to fishing. Even though the fishing season is still a few weeks away, the pleasure of spending a chilly evening getting gear ready is not a bad way to engage one’s time.

Putting our house in order, so to speak, as it relates to the sport of fishing brings forth memories of times past, old friends enjoying each other’s company and tales of places where we got lucky or were skunked.

Each piece of angling hardware that occupies a spot in our tackle box, gear bag or waterproof jacket brings with it a touchstone of memory we hold precious.

One item in my stash of angling goodies is an old reel from an earlier time that belonged to my grandfather, he of renown backlash fame, turtle tempting treats and a bluegill angler extraordinaire. This reel hasn’t actually been used physically to fish with for decades, yet it is alive with fond memories of the man that used it and his dedication to a sport he enjoyed to the fullest. The reel is a deep green that still proudly shines resplendently and still is spooled with monofilament line from another era.

My grandfather received this reel for Christmas in 1954 as a gift from his grown sons to aid in the solution of his constant battle with the unsolvable riddle of tangled line only he could weave.

A backlash by any other name was mere child’s play when it came to the woven mystery my grandfather could create all on his own. Of the countless hours he spent attempting to impale fish upon his hook, a good portion of his time was used to undo the mystery of braided casting line tangled beyond comprehension.

The solution was a Johnson Model 40, closed-face spincasting reel, that used the new monofilament plastic line. Patented in 1954 by the Johnson Reel Company of Mankato, Minn., the closed-face spinning reel opened up a whole new venue for anglers challenged by the old bait casting reels.

A delicate touch was required to cast a plug with one of these reels without ending up with a snarl of line, commonly called a bird’s nest tangle. Ease of operation, accurate in the hands of even a beginner and smoothness of action made all brands of closed-faced spinning reels a joy to use and solved the classic mystery of touch in using a bait casting reel.

The Christmas of 1954 was very special for my grandfather, a new reel of extreme promise lay beneath the Christmas tree. It’s metal exterior sparkling green with anticipation of a spring only four months off.

In looking at that reel as it currently sits on my desk where I am writing this column, I am surprised that there is any finish left on its lightweight casing. If he polished it once, he polished it a thousand times as he patiently waited for the new spring ahead.

If shine caught fish then this reel was going to be a real killer. Gramps eyes shone with images of engaging the local lake denizens with his latest, no-tangle tool of the angling trade. Could April come soon enough?

I know we all have some memento or two that brings us back to an earlier time filled with fond memories of days afield or time spent on a favorite lake. I think part of the adventure in the outdoor sports is the pleasure of putting together memories, both spiritually and physically of the moments we spend chasing after this species or that one in particular. It matters not for most of us what finds our offering palatable, only that it proves irresistible in some fashion to a fish.

Would we have it any other way? I think not. Fishing is not catching (as a popular sign says) but an experience for the mind and soul.

Time to get ready. The season will be here before you know it – will you be ready?

Gordon Lewis can be reached at moonglowfarm@gmail.com.