What a day last Saturday - one to remember!

[SenkoSam]

A disabled old timer from my fish & game club that I fished with last year who I found to be a funny/ compatible partner to fish with, asked me to take him and his grandson - a newbie - fishing on my boat. He figured his grandson (who he doesn't see too often) might like to learn from me on a local lake, catching fish on lures. He picked it up fast but didn't seem to be too thrilled - even after catching a 15" pickerel! He seemed more inclined to check out his phone than fish. In fact, I figured the 15 y.o. should have at least thanked me afterward for taking the time to rig his lures, show him how to retrieve them so he could catch his dozen or so fish. (Doubt he'll be back on my boat again.)

The rain wasn't supposed to start for three hours so we fished flats that held panfish, bass and the pickerel. But all of a sudden, I heard the rumble in the distance with the wind picking up to over 15mph. Got that boat moving big time back to the launch.

  Once there, my 78 y.o buddy insisted he get on the dock and back the boat trailer in before the rain came. Well, the poor guy's shoelace caught on my bow rope cleat and he fell into the water screaming his head off. I figured he just lost his footing, not seeing his foot still attached to my boat! Good thing his grandson hopped onto the dock and struggled to get him out of the water after which I cut the shoelace. Bad enough he had problems at the get go with a reel that had a bent handle too close to turn and a leader knot that caught when he tried to cast from another rod. Good thing I didn't move the boat with him in the water or he might have drowned!

  OK, so now he gets in the truck after calming down and backs it in. Problem: lightning bolts too close for comfort and a terential rain came down with me still in the boat driver's seat!! Once I got the boat on the trailer with bow strap secured, I got out of the water FAST and into the truck!
I felt bad for him for the mind and body pain caused by the trauma and for the cut on his forearm. (I forgot the New Skin and raincoat at home which I always carry. )

He still wants to go after the rains stop after the next THREE DAYS! Note: his usual partners his age, have either died or have stopped fishing for health reasons and the younger guys in our club never offer, having their click buddies to fish with. (He was treasurer and on the board of directors for over 15 years.) He's always welcome on my boat.

BTW, he is a fellow vet that served a few years before I did in the late 60's.

[D.W. Verts]

Awesome. Kind of. Great story anyway!

Dale

[SenkoSam]

Thanks.

His wife died in Jan. and he needs to get out and fish or something just to keep the depression at bay.

[D.W. Verts]

Keep him going. It's good for the soul.

Dale