Memories that still make you smile.

[RNE]

We had a thread about embarrassing moments, let’s take the other tack. Moments on the water that will be fresh until the day you get introduced to the Creator.

I have a number of those,

G Hibdon giving several rods and reels to a very young man who was fishing his first tourney. He showed up with some really worn out equipment, but it was evident he was doing the best with what he had. The kid was good, his gear was what held him back. The kid was one of the nicest people I ever spent a day with on the water. I am ashamed to admit, I can’t recall the kid’s name.

Watching a man place his daughter in the boat, wading into frigid spring water to make sure she didn’t get wet. Then put her wheelchair in the back of his truck before parking it. While at least three dozen tourney fishermen made sure he had all the room he needed, waiting in the ramp lot until he had everything just right. We were ten minutes late for take off, and considered it time well spent.

Early one morning, Arkansas lake, sun just below the ridge above the cove my partner and I were working. Doe deer with fawn at water’s edge, drinking. On the opposite bank a mountain lion pacing, staring at both of them. But unwilling to swim. All the while ignoring the strange thing in the water less than 20 yards away. I could have beaned that cat with a spinnerbait without any trouble.

I have a lot more, most are of times with my own children, but it’s a start.

[johnnie crain outdoors]

Excellent post.
One of mine would have to be seeing my Grandad use an old "knuckle buster" reel and steel rod with black nylon line catching bass he considered huge out of small Missouri Ozark mountain streams. He truly appreciated every fish he caught, tho he did eat them later which was okay. He was from the old school of catch and keep, but he earned every fish he caught. Another is when my Grandma caught an eight pound channel cat out of the same stream and at the time was the largest caught by anyone in the family. She told this story to everyone that would listen, even strangers. Made everyone smile, especially me.

[johnnie crain outdoors]

RNE-Thanks for the Memories. Johnnie

[RW-reeler]

Nice post. There are lots of good times in any true sportsmans life memories. The most recent for me is that my wife and I were blessed to adopt a boy from Ukraine who is now 4. Last summer we went out on his first time on the boat. Most of his time was spent splaahing and playing with toys. Once in a will he would sit in our lap and reel in like we had practiced in the yard. The golden moment came when he jumped up in my lap, helped me cast and when we reeled in a small bass hit the spinner. He finished bringing it in and was not afraid of it and we snaped his picture with his first fish. Now he says he is my fishing buddy every time I ask. Have a great year fishing everyone!

RW-Reeler

[johnnie crain outdoors]

Isn't it great to have a young fishing buddy!! I have taught hundreds of kids to fish through various programs and believe me, they don't forget it. I get adults today that say" Hey, you taught me to fish" that's so cool. My "new" partner is my 10 year old Grandson, Trayven who is already making his name known around here. Wants to take my place.+

[mofish]

I been thinking of which story I wanted to tell yall about and then this weekend I had one that I will never forget..

As yall know a very cold,cold front blew down from up yalls way. Icing over the bridges and overpasses. Well we had a tournament Sat. I FISHED IT!! man was it cold!!!!!!!!

The tips of my fingers just now got the feeling back into them. As crazy as it sounds about 15 teams showed up and I ended up in fourth.. Not a bad way to start the year out. It will not be forgotten as long as I'm still alive. Had to keep the line from freezing in the eyes and level wind of the reels. COLD!!!

[johnnie crain outdoors]

Conley, I feel your pain!! I once fished in a blizzard, 30 + miles per hour wind, four inches of snow and I shivered all day, my whole body just wanted to shut down. I caught one 4 pound bass, the winner had 24 pounds??

[RNE]

A long time ago there was a local Tourney series called Frostbite Saturday. And they weren't kidding. Full snowmobile suits, helmets with visors, hand-warmers, some guys even took a Coleman portable heater.

I fished it for a couple of years, that was back when I was young and full of 'spit n vinegar' as my Grandpap used to say. On many occasions we had to move the takeoff, primary ramp was iced in.

So, I can relate. We laugh about it now, but it wasn't quite as funny back then.

Have any idea what ice does to the bottom of a fiberglass boat at speed? Not to mention how hard those old outboards were to start when the air temp was (well) below freezing?

Richard.

[johnnie crain outdoors]

That's why I QUIT ice fishing. By the time I got the hole big enough for the boat, I was worn out!! :rolleyes:

[RNE]

Johnnie, that was the funniest thing I heard in a very long time! Thanks.

Richard.