Advice

[Nick Adams]

A good friend was just diagnosed with dementia and he's feeling the effects fast. We want to take him fishing while he can. Toss up between bank fishing at Roaring River, which we've done 2 or 3 times before, or a half day with a boat from Lilley's, probably on 10/26.

Thoughts?

[Terrierman]

Lilley's

[tjm]

I couldn't stand being confined to a boat for half a day.

So, my advise is to do what your friend will enjoy most, ask the guy, if he's not able to choose, skip the fishing trip.  If his dementia is so advanced that he can't tell you what he'd like to do, then he probably won't enjoy doing it. Or remember doing afterwards.

[Gavin]

Sorry to hear about your buddies illness. Ask him what he wants to do.. A nice float down the Current or Eleven Point would offer better scenery. Justin Spencer is guiding on the Eleven Point these days.

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

I would go with the familiar routine.  I'm very sorry to hear about your friend.  

[Nick Adams]

Thanks guys. We're having dinner on Friday and then we'll decide. Scary in that he's only 60. Mortality ain't easy, that's for sure.

[Flysmallie]

While my dad did not have dementia, we did have to watch him get worse and worse until the end. 
 

I continued taking him fishing but just going and spending time together was the most important thing. Keep it simple and just enjoy whatever you are doing. Memories forever. 

[Terrierman]

One of the reasons I suggest Lilley's is safety - he's not likely to lose his footing and fall in which is easy to do at RR when you're that old.  Also, if he gets tired of fishing a nice sightseeing cruise on Taneycomo might be welcome.  Good on you for taking care of him whatever you do.

[ness]

I’d lean towards Roaring River. Easy fishing from the bank, and easy to switch and do something else around the park if the situation dictates. Being committed to a boat for a few hours may work out great, but it would be more of an issue if you needed to bail out. If you do go that route book ASAP as this is a very busy time of year  

All that said, let him choose but don’t *make* him choose, if you know what I mean. 

Good on you for taking this on!

[fishinwrench]

It's my understanding that people suffering from dementia don't appreciate PLANS very much.  

Yet here you are attempting to arrange some.    

Who knows what the weather, and your buddies mood, will be like on 10/26 ?