"The Old Man"
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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