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"The Old Man"

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rgfixit:
                                         "The Old Man"[/b]
For my friend and lifetime fishing partner, Bob Durfee Pat McManus writes that every aspiring fisherman should find an "Old Man" to educate them in the finer points of the outdoor experience. Someone to teach them to fish.

 I found my "Old Man" in my late 30's. He was, and still is, the owner of my favorite local breakfast stop. To say he is a fisherman would be an understatement.

 When we first started talking fish, I was in the throws of chasing green carp (bass) on an  almost daily basis. Thrashing the water with everything lure known to man was the norm. Hours and hours of casting, catching and releasing. That was fishing for me at the time.

 One morning as I bragged to him about being able to catch 5 bass with my first 5 casts on a local water, he couldn't stand it any longer and challenged me. " I'll do you one better" I said, "I'll get you 5 bass on YOUR first 5  casts". Of course he started with  "what kind of lures" etc. I stopped him and said "I'll get you 5 bass on 5 casts and you'll  take me perch fishing". He was known to be an expert perch fisher. The bet was on.

 We met at the launch and motored to a sunken cribbing. I handed him a rod, rigged a big  live crab with a weedless hook and pointed where to cast. Bam, the crab hit the water and away it went...a nice 3 pounder. 2, 3, 4, 5 and then  6, 7 casts...a fish every time. He was laughing out loud having a ball. The day was a first for us and the beginning of 20 years of fishing together.

 The perch trip came up quickly and he totally crushed my ego out fishing me 10 to 1. He continued to school me and in a couple of years time I could keep up with him. Then came dock fishing  and ice fishing...the master was sharing his craft .

 His only stipulation???  "I'll teach you how I fish...You'll  take me fishing when I get old".

 My relationship with "The Old Man" has grown to a deep friendship. It's the stuff of life...the benefits of age...the joy of living and sharing. Many friends come and go but few are forever.

 So my advice is ...find your self an "Old Man"  and live your fishing life to the fullest. Oh yeah, and don't forget, when some newbie asks to go fishing with you, you may be talking to you're next fishing partner.

 Thanks Bob,

RG

FLAG:
This reminds me of the Old Man who taught me everything I know about fishing and hunting. He would spend hours teaching me something new. he was the greatest friend a man could have. 6 of us decided for his 70th birthday we would surprise him with a trip to Labrador, a place he always talked about going but never did. Well his 70th birthday came and the last thing for him to open was a photo album. In this album was pictures of all of us threw out the years with him. On the last page was the confarmation for the trip. Well needless to  say everyone needed atissue for this one. We still had 1 month before we left on hte trip. So now he was pumped, talking, planning tying new flies the whole shooting match. We arrived at the camp after a 3 hour floatplane ride. He took one look around, look at me and said young man get in that boat and lets catch some fish. Well as the week went by he spent time individually with everyone (Quality Time). We all caught fish of great size to talk about during dinner time. the week came to an end we were  on our way home. He had nothing but thanks for everyone. Now this is where it gets hard, we arrived home on a friday night, Saturday afternoon i got a call, he had been rushed to the hospital for a massive heart attck. He passed away that day.... During the Furneral the Preist read a letter he had received from him prior to the trip. The last sentence said Please tell the BOYS I had the time of my life.......  Cherish every minute you have with your OLD MAN :) :) :)

Sandman:
Had a fellow in his 80's to my left and one in the 70's to my right today on the ice. Not sure what we did more of. Exchange stories/advice or catch fish.
It don't get much better.

sbfpa_Mike:
This sums up what I wanted when I suggested a fishing stories forum.  These are the real things to share,  everything else can be learned by trial and error.

Cider:
That's a great story FLAG.  Pretty much says it all about why we all love this sport and spending time in the great outdoors with good friends and family so much.  The time of our lives...  Nice!  8)

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