Respecting Elderly Fisherman

[Mobasser]

I made a bank trip to a small lake near my house last night after work. When I got there I noticed an older man standing on the bank, holding his rod close to his face. I came by and ask him if he needed help. He had gotten a backlash, and had forgotten his glasses in his car. He couldn't see well enough to fix the backlash. I offered to get his glasses for him. He gave me his keys, and I made the hike to his car, bringing back his glasses. He was very grateful for the help, and was casting again in short time. He explained that he used to own a bass boat, but had to sell it. He couldn't go out by himself any more. He also said he fished a few tournaments years ago, and that his fishing buddies were all gone now, so that left him as he said,"walkin the banks alone". He was obviously an avid fisherman. I moved down the bank casting as I went. When it was almost dark I heard him holler" hey there thank you again". I said " your welcome". For the young guns just getting into this sport, I hope you always respect the older anglers you meet. Give them a kind word, and help them out if they need it. One day, you may need a hand too. When your "walkin the banks alone".

[jbmaine]

Thank you so much for posting this, you've really shown one of the kind of things that are truly important in life.

[Harold Scoggins]

I usually don't need a hand, but I'll never turn down a young buck's help in getting my kayak to the water.

[WRB]

Could have be me except I don't walk banks anymore and trying to keep my boat.

Goods deeds get you good karma,

Tom

[jbsoonerfan]

I was at the lake the other day and an older gentleman was walking from the dock to his car. The dock is broke so it's a pretty steep incline. I was close by so I said "Need any help getting up there?" He said "I may be old, but I'm not disabled yet". Some people might have taken that wrong, but I didn't take it as being rude or anything.

[FishinBuck07]

I always try to check with the older fisherman to see if they are ok.  Besides if you didn't talk to those older ones how you supposed to learn anything!  Like you said some day all of us may need some help!

[gnappi]

It goes the other way too... I'm 67 and regularly help young tyros out who can't tie knots, and have silly lures that some salesman sold them, or advise on other tackle issues. ?

 

One kid last year had a backpack that was so overfull and heavy he could hardly negotiate the canal bank. I showed him how few lures and rigs I kept in my vest and he decided to travel lighter from then on.

[Munkin]

I was taught to respect my elders but I can say that 95% of my problems with other fisherman has been from senior citizen trout fisherman. Most of the time I just give in because fighting with them isn't worth it. For this reason I try to avoid fishing most places that have been stocked with trout in the spring. I have helped launce boats, carried fishing gear, and even given lures that are working to them but some are just d***s.

 

Allen

[The Bassman]

7 hours ago, gnappi said:

It goes the other way too... I'm 67 and regularly help young tyros out who can't tie knots, and have silly lures that some salesman sold them, or advise on other tackle issues. ?

 

One kid last year had a backpack that was so overfull and heavy he could hardly negotiate the canal bank. I showed him how few lures and rigs I kept in my vest and he decided to travel lighter from then on.

I had a situation just yesterday where a teenager was having difficulty landing fish. I walked over and found out he had just had some sort of nose surgery and was told not to bend over. I gave him a hand and counter to the notion that kids aren't grateful he was very receptive. He told me that he was just getting into fishing and was using a very cheap spincast outfit with a half ribbontail worm on a tube head. I made a friend that maybe I can help develop his skills. I'll be 65 in a few weeks and this made my day.

[Catt]

My grandpa taught us whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

 

What goes around, comes around ?

[TOXIC]

Define "Elderly".......  

[gnappi]

55 minutes ago, TOXIC said:

Define "Elderly".......  

When cute 20 something cashiers start calling you "Sir" ???

[Mike L]

I had spinal fusion surgery in 2012 when I was 62. 

At the next BFL after recovering, I drew a boater who had a brand new Bullet. 

 

At the meeting the night before he asked me if I wanted the rear seat, I almost screamed Yes!

If you know anything about Bullet's they have a very high gunnel and I was a little apprehensive about stepping on from the floating dock. 

 

His friend remembered me from a previous BFL who I told I was gonna have the surgery. 

They both grabbed me under my arms and placed me in the boat. 

I don't think my boater got over 50mph all day and kept offering to land my fish and wouldn't let me bend over to net his. 

 

To this day when I see those two youngsters I give them a hug!

 

 

 

 

Mike

 

[FishinBuck07]

17 minutes ago, gnappi said:

When cute 20 something cashiers start calling you "Sir" ???

Now I don't know if I can agree with this one!  I am only 37 and have been called sir many times by people in that age range.  Haha

[SWVABass]

I consider myself to be in that young group of anglers. The club I’m a member of is made up of guys mainly in there 60s and 70s. As a non boater I get to pick who I fish with which is cool but a struggle. We have a few members that if they ever fell in would not be able to get out without help. I try to bounce between boaters through out the year just in case. By doing that I have been exposed to so many different fishing styles it’s benefited me. But the best is there stories they have me laughing all day so that if we get skunked it was still an enjoyable day. Plus it reminds me of fishing with grandpa which are some of my greatest memories.

 

so thanks to all you who share your boats with guys like me ??

[MickD]

Elderly = older than I.

[.ghoti.]

When you're old you have dry dreams and wet farts.

 

Not there yet. 

[lo n slo]

2 hours ago, TOXIC said:

Define "Elderly".......  

us

[Dwight Hottle]

I'm 71 and & I have noticed the extra attention & helpfulness offered to me when launching & retrieving at the ramps. As we age we don't really acknowledge how old we are but everyone else does. Good post & food for thought. 

[J Francho]

13 hours ago, Mobasser said:

He gave me his keys

That was really kind of you.  I hope you did some donuts in the parking lot, though.

[Mobasser]

13 minutes ago, J Francho said:

That was really kind of you.  I hope you did some donuts in the parking lot, though.

J Francho, I'm 61 now. My donut days are over!

2 hours ago, gnappi said:

When cute 20 something cashiers start calling you "Sir" ???

Or, when they call you hon or honey. What? I'm old enough to be your grandpa girl! 

[Catt]

29 minutes ago, Mobasser said:

J Francho, I'm 61 now. My donut days are over!

 

Now that's a totally different subject!

 

I'm 68 & a friend of mine bought a 800hp 2018 Shelby GT500 Super Snake. After a couple church members drove it & got a little scratch in each gear he grinned & throw me keys.

 

It looked like Dale Jr at the end of a race! 

 

My wife says Daddy still got it! ?

[Mobasser]

3 minutes ago, Catt said:

 

Now that's a totally different subject!

 

I'm 68 & a friend of mine bought a 800hp 2018 Shelby GT500 Super Snake. After a couple church members drove it & got a little scratch in each gear he grinned & throw me keys.

 

It looked like Dale Jr at the end of a race! 

 

My wife says Daddy still got it! ?

Catt. That's a hot car!  I agree sometimes it's still fun to hot rod a little!

[A-Jay]

The Golden Rule carries No Age requirement.

Just saying. 

A-Jay 

[Mobasser]

20 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

The Golden Rule carries No Age requirement.

Just saying. 

A-Jay 

I agree A-Jay