Just when will you decide to give up fishing?

[RSBreth]

Never. Simple as that. As long as I can make it there, even with help, I will.

[XP 590]

Wow.  That is a moving story.  Especially timely for me.  I posted two stories a couple years ago about fishing with my Dad who was 89 at the time.  He's now 94 and still able to make it out with me a few times a year.  We mainly hit Rainbow Trout Ranch down by Ava which is basically a little private trout park, deep in the beautiful Ozarks, with large stocked fish, beautiful scenery and an awesome dining lodge.  The last 4 years, we've made it down there at least three times a year.  Being a smaller stream, he's able to walk around in waders with my help and we have a blast.  Last week down there though, he did take a spill.  The up side is that it was in the hotel room, not the stream.   No major injury, just a skinned up elbow, but it's really got me thinking about how much longer he will be able to make it.  We're booked again for the weekend before Thanksgiving and I'm keeping my fingers crossed.  I consider myself very fortunate.  Dad was able to work (by choice) until he was 90 and is still in great health. 

[Terrierman]

Best thread in a long time.  All you guys have great stories to tell.  Proud to know this kind of people.

[WoundedOne]

great story. thanks for sharing it with us Billethead

[Basfis]

Wow and thanks. Prior to reading I've been nothing but excited to take my son again this weekend for his first tournament (little buddy derby). I'm now shifting to planning another 3 generation trip. U never know and he started my fishing addiction for sure. Thanks for the share and grounding us all. Well done sir. 

[rps]

My father started taking me with him over 60 years ago. He and I did not fish together every time - he had a good friend, Ovid Birmingham, with whom he often went. However we always went together a couple of times a year. I was NOT at Woodstock with my friends because I was in Canada on the English River with him.

His last fishing trip, long after Ovid passed, was 1997 or 1998. He was over 80. We fished with Eldon?, the Gasville police officer who also guided. We targeted large Brown trout in the Red Bud Shoals area. Fortunately, he caught one in the seven pound range on that trip. As we drove home from the river to Tulsa, he told me, "Brother (for some reason he had always called me that), I am just too old for this anymore. That was a good last trip."