Just when will you decide to give up fishing?

[BilletHead]

       I ask the question,

Just when will you decide to give up fishing?

  I have a story from this past Friday to share. We fished a couple hours at Bennett Springs. At the store getting our tag I noticed an older gentleman exit the store, light up a cigar. I have no idea why he caught my eye but he did. We found a place to park and wader up near the hatchery outlet. We generally try to park here and work our way up towards the dam and on up farther if we decide to. As Pat and I were building our rods, then pat started putting on her waders as I put new line on her reel. I then noticed the same guy heading towards the water, rod in hand. He entered the water, no waders. Acted like he knew what he was doing like he had been there many times. Pat was waiting on me to wader up when we heard a splash and the old fellow went down. He began to flounder between to other guys. They both went to his side to help him to his feet. Pat said I got to go and laid her rod on the bench and headed into the water. There was a girl on the bank in a scrub top watching closely and I think it was maybe his caregiver. She never went in just stood there. The guy could not seem to get his feet under himself right. Pat got in the middle of the mess and they all got him up and she walked him to the shore as one of the guys took his rod over to the bank and the caregiver. The guys went back to fishing and Pat and the other girl got the man to his car. Pat asked if he had dry clothes, he said yes and began to tear up. Told Pat thank you and all he wanted to do was to fish one more time. Then grabbing her he said I guess this is my last fishing trip and it is time to quit. He got into the car and the girl he was with drove him off. Pat came back to me and the truck in tears and then I kind of lost it too. Before fishing we just sat there and talked about what had just happened. 

  So when will we know? This old guy seemed to know and decided on the spot. Fishing is really something we can do well into the twilight of our life. Other hobbies not so much. I hope I have help to keep me going as long as possible. Maybe they will find me and have to pry the fly rod out of my cold dead fingers? Would rather go that way instead of playing cards, checkers, bingo or dominos ,

BilletHead

[Chief Grey Bear]

 What a story that really hits home.  I hope Pat feels honored to be a part of that.  I know I would have even though I have no idea who he was. 

That is a very tough question to answer.  I don't think I will ever know when my last trip will be. 

[jdmidwest]

I hope it is when I get to old to remember to go.....

But one really never knows.  They buried a guy today that made plans with me on the 4th of July this year to fish out of a new jet boat he was looking to buy this year.  He never got the boat and I never got to fish with him.  I met him thru a friend, it was his cousin.  We had talked fishing over the years at the annual party on the 4th at my friends house.  When my buddy called the other day to tell me of his passing I was shocked to hear.  You just never know really how short your time is.

[fishinwrench]

Quit telling that story, it jack's me up.   

My folks were both in the nursing home business so I grew up spending time with old dudes that loved to tell fishing story's.  They'd always end the storys with "yeah I can't do those things anymore" and the sadness in their eyes always made me bite my lip to keep from tearing up.

If the time comes that I can't fish anymore I'll write a book.  After that I'll be ready for my dirt nap.

[Foghorn]

Took my Dad on his last trip in May of 2000. He caught a bunch of big bluegill and his 3rd bout with cancer was about to get the best of him. We fished maybe an hour and a half and decided that was good enough for his last trip. The next morning, a Sunday, Mom called and said"your Dad wants to go one more time if it's alright."  Of course it was  and Mom who rarely misses Church along with my wife and older brother all went along too! Your story Marty hit home and brought back some good memories.

[BilletHead]

46 minutes ago, Chief Grey Bear said:

 What a story that really hits home.  I hope Pat feels honored to be a part of that.  I know I would have even though I have no idea who he was. 

That is a very tough question to answer.  I don't think I will ever know when my last trip will be. 

       Chief Pat is one of those very compassionate people. It did not surprise me she got right in the middle of it.  In her job she nurses for the doc she works with. More than one nurse in that office. When patients call or come in they ask for her on the phone or to be roomed. She is good with the old and young and curmudgeons like me . if our minds stay in good shape I think we will know when to give it up. If our minds fail this is when we could get in trouble not knowing when to quit.

47 minutes ago, jdmidwest said:

I hope it is when I get to old to remember to go.....

But one really never knows.  They buried a guy today that made plans with me on the 4th of July this year to fish out of a new jet boat he was looking to buy this year.  He never got the boat and I never got to fish with him.  I met him thru a friend, it was his cousin.  We had talked fishing over the years at the annual party on the 4th at my friends house.  When my buddy called the other day to tell me of his passing I was shocked to hear.  You just never know really how short your time is.

      Yep our days are numbered JD.  My mom always said do it while you can. She said she and dad when he was still alive wanted to this and that but decided another time would be better. That other time did not happen and to this day she says go for it what I tell her we would like to do something. Her mind is failing fast now and I see I will probably go that route and may learn the hard way when I have to quit.

20 minutes ago, fishinwrench said:

Quit telling that story, it jack's me up.   

My folks were both in the nursing home business so I grew up spending time with old dudes that loved to tell fishing story's.  They'd always end the storys with "yeah I can't do those things anymore" and the sadness in their eyes always made me bite my lip to keep from tearing up.

If the time comes that I can't fish anymore I'll write a book.  After that I'll be ready for my dirt nap.

       Sorry Wrench you were the first to hear what happened when we were over there this weekend. Then you had to read it now. Felt like some good food for thought for all of us. We sometimes need reminded things like this to keep us humble.

13 minutes ago, Foghorn said:

Took my Dad on his last trip in May of 2000. He caught a bunch of big bluegill and his 3rd bout with cancer was about to get the best of him. We fished maybe an hour and a half and decided that was good enough for his last trip. The next morning, a Sunday, Mom called and said"your Dad wants to go one more time if it's alright."  Of course it was  and Mom who rarely misses Church along with my wife and older brother all went along too! Your story Marty hit home and brought back some good memories.

          Me too on the memories. I remember the last time my Dad and I fished together. He had polio and wore leg braces. Tough to get him in and out of the boat. When we did manage it was so fun. Wish I had more time with him. Guys if you are listening we don't want you to look back and wish you had done more. Do it now!

 BilletHead

[MOPanfisher]

The last time I put dad in the boat he ended up with pneumoniania, a few years later I got him to go out on an accessible dock with me to fish, but he had lost the touch and desire.  It was many years befor I fished regularly with anyone else.  I hope my last trip I am only there for the trip out, the trip back o hope to have crossed over, unlikely it will work out that way though.

[Blll]

When my Dad retired we talked about all the fishing we were going to do. Right about then my wife dumped me and I also lost my job. Kids to deal with, finding a new career and eventually a new wife all took time, about 3 years. Just when I got my act together and he told me he had the big "C". Don't let life get in the way of what's important. Now I'm retired and moved south to Arkansas. My wife wanted to move where I could go fish any time I wanted. 2x per week, 11 months a year. (no one should fish in February). Getting a little more wobbley than I used to be. She won't let me night fish alone anymore. I'll know when it isn't fun anymore. Maybe then I'll have time for all those projects in my head.

[Ham]

Watching my Dad's health fail and watching his personality change as dementia tightens its grip on him is very difficult for me. I fish because he fished and included me on his trips.

He doesn't love fishing like he used to. I guess that's ok because he really can't fish very well any more and he can't go on his own anymore. 

I'm headed down this Friday with my daughter to take Dad fishing Saturday and Sunday for as long as he wants. It may be an hour or if might be all day. Hopefully, he'll enjoy himself. 

[Johnsfolly]

1 hour ago, Ham said:

Watching my Dad's health fail and watching his personality change as dementia tightens its grip on him is very difficult for me. I fish because he fished and included me on his trips.

He doesn't love fishing like he used to. I guess that's ok because he really can't fish very well any more and he can't go on his own anymore. 

I'm headed down this Friday with my daughter to take Dad fishing Saturday and Sunday for as long as he wants. It may be an hour or if might be all day. Hopefully, he'll enjoy himself. 

Ham I hope that you and your dad have a great trip. You guys need some good going your way.