RIP Buster Loving

[LAjoey]

Sorry to hear this. Sounds like he was a great friend to many. 

[crazy4fishin]

What sad news, Buster was one of the first guides that I used when I started fishing Taney and TR. That was 25+ years ago.

We developed a friendship that extended to our families sharing meals and many a fishing trip - like all of us there were life issues but he was always smiling and that man could fish like no other. 

Bill is right, he went home to soon for those if us still on the spinning ball! Prayers for his family during this time

C4F

[Bill Babler]

Nother Buster story.  Several years ago and by this time Buster wasn’t painting anymore he was having Tim Hughes paint all his baits. Buster was just strictly using Megabass plus 1’s 

He called and said come over. The walleye are slow but I’m catching some really big LM and some nice crappie while I’m bass fishing. 

He said just bring your JB rod, that’s all we’re going to do.  I hummed and hawded but said OK OK I’m coming over. 

We launched at the park at swan and fished the little points and cuts down to the Barker Hole  on the left side going down. 

Buster caught a white and 3 pretty nice crappie. I missed a tick right in front of the Eagle nest and that was it till we got to the Barker Hole. 

Right after the little pocket just before the BH, I got hammered. It stayed down and we both thought it was a big Walter. Buster was back there with the net with Andy’s Red dripping from his lips when a really really nice LM Wallowded to the surface. 6.5 pounds on his beat up scale.  about 5 cast later I was hooked up again with Buster hovering over me net in hand and crisco dripping off the net handle. Another 6 pounder of the green variety.  Buster said, “I told you I been catchin biggins.”

My next 4 fish out of the back of Buster's boat  were all over 4 pounds. I mean I had a total MONSTER sack and Buster had a dinky white and 3 crappie.   I think I was pushing 25 pounds using a custom painted Tim Hughes Megabass  plus1  

He got super quiet and man you could tell he was more than bearing down. About that time I caught another bass around 3 pounds and by then he is not even attempting to pick up the net.  He was just groaning in the front seat.  He threw down the JB rod and picked up a swimming minnow.  I was feeling pretty good about myself by this time so I said, thought we were just jerk baitin.”  This is all within 100 yards stretch on the Barker Hole. 

He said let’s cross over and fish the other side going up and I had no problem. That little bluff stretch just up and across from the BH is where he started. My first cast I caught another  3 pounder.  He turned around and said. “What the Frig.  I guess you got to win some of the time.”  If I remember correctly it might not have been frig.  

I came back with your the one who invited me. Ya, he said “and it might be the last time.”

Good Luck. 







 

[Quillback]

Great stories Bill, thanks for sharing!

[tbooks]

does anyone remember Buster telling the story about all the swimming squirrels?

[Bill Babler]

The swimming squirrels were a real thing. Some type of a migration. Taney, Bull and the Rock had 1000’s upon 1000’s of both swimming and dead squirrels. 
Seems one was trying to get in his boat or did and then tried to bite him. I forget the details. 

[Quillback]

14 minutes ago, Bill Babler said:

The swimming squirrels were a real thing. Some type of a migration. Taney, Bull and the Rock had 1000’s upon 1000’s of both swimming and dead squirrels. 
Seems one was trying to get in his boat or did and then tried to bite him. I forget the details. 

That is weird, I don't think I have ever seen a swimming squirrel.  

[dtrs5kprs]

Well, shoot.

What a year. Prayers for all of those who loved him.

[Champ188]

The swimming squirrels were a real deal indeed. We were at Bull Shoals for the Central Pro-Am championship that year and Brad Butler was practicing in an offshore spot when, unbeknownst to Brad, a squirrel climbed into his boat and took refuge under the driver's console. When Brad finished fishing that spot, he pulled the TM, went to the driver's seat per usual, started the engine and took off. Apparently the squirrel was not a fan of high speed and came out from under the console, climbing straight up Brad's bare leg (he was wearing shorts). 
I don't recall the details, but mayhem at high speed ensued and when Brad got the boat stopped (probably by activating the kill switch while trying to escape the squirrel). Eventually, the squirrel bailed over one side of the boat and Brad nearly bailed over the other. 
And yes, he was presented with a toy stuffed squirrel at a weigh-in later that week.

[Bill Babler]

Went to Buster’s memorial service today.  Really nice service. Probably close to 100 in attendance.  
Family had some really nice stories. After the service I spoke to Buster’s mom.  Such a beautiful lady. She told me Buster had mentioned me to her many,  many times. Sure put a lump in my throat and meant a lot to me.  
I could have gotten up and I would still be standing there telling Buster Loving stories