A Helping Hand

[Mobasser]

I was a sophomore in high school when this event happened. I read about it years later.                                 In 1974, at a BA.S.S. event at Beaver lake in Arkansas, Billy Westmoreland saved the lives of Johnny Morris and his partner Bob Craddok.                                          A tornado came through the area, creating dangerous conditions. Johnny Morris sunk his boat in this storm.              The two men, ( Morris and Craddok,) were hanging on to a 6 gallon gas can. Both men were experiencing the early stages of hypothermia, and were praying out loud.                                Westmoreland spotted the gas can from the dock. Westmoreland told Ray Scott, " I think someone's in trouble out there". He took off, almost sinking his own boat in the waves and wind. When he got close he found Morris barely hanging on to the can, and Craddok with his arms around Morris's neck.                                                    Morris later recalled, "Craddok started laughing, and a large arm reached down, first separating us,

then pulling us to safety".                        Billy Westmoreland later recalled" my boat was set up with dual bilge pumps. If not for that, we'd have been in big trouble".

       Two years later  in 1976, Billy Westmoreland would author his famous book, Them Old Brown Fish, still considered a must read on the topic of smallmouth bass.                                                   Johnny Morris was forever grateful,  after founding Bass Pro Shops, giving Billy Westmoreland two new boats each year, and all the tackle he needed. Billy Westmoreland had saved his life.                                   Aside from being considered one of the greatest anglers in our sport, Billy Westmoreland was a lifesaver too.                                     The big man from Tennessee, and one of my heroes.                                                

[Bigassbass]

A friend of mine and myself were crappie fishing Sharan Harris Lake in NC one summer, some guys waved us down as we were headed back to the dock.  A child was on a boat by himself and they were afraid to go see what the problem was and help.  Long story short, the child had been out on the lake for 3 days by himself, his father and cousin had drowned as he unfortunately looked on.  This was before I had a cell phone so my friend stayed with the child and I went to the ramp to find someone who had a cb radio in their truck, called the rescue squad and the rest was dragging the lake for bodies the next day.  

Never be so lazy or afraid to help someone on a lake or anywhere else, life is precious and you never know what has happened.  The child ate snacks and drank water and Pepsi from the cooler they had brought for lunch and survived.  His father was a school teacher, he jumped in trying to save the other child that was floundering in the water and drowned himself.   Life jackets people!  Teach your children to swim!   And never leave anyone stranded on a boat on a lake. The law of the water is to always help those who need help, it should be the law of the land and it is for me.

 

[WRB]

Back in the 90’s fishing at Castaic returning to the ramp I decided to stop and consider one more spot. With my OB idling I thought hearing a faint voice saying help me. Turned off the engine, it was very windy with white caps and heard the cry for help again. About 100’ up wind a man face and hand was out of the water, I fired up the OB and motored over to guy who was barely able to speak. Tried tossing him a rope and he was too exhausted to hold it, so put the engine in gear and circle up wind to get close to the man and grab his shirt. 

Worked the man around to the stern and tried to pull him into the boat too heavy. Put the rope under his arms and managed to slid the guy into boat as waves came over the transom. Without the waves wouldn’t be able to get the big man into boat.

The guys finger nails were ripped off and could only mumble he fell off a jet ski.

We were about 1/4 mile from the ramp so I motored carefully to the docks circle so the bow was into the wind with this guy laying on the rear deck. Waved the life guard over and some jet skiers came running. The guy was in poor shape the life guard was on his radio but the jet skiers were yelling at the man and me were was the jet ski they wanted to know.  

I lost it and started screaming them, the life guard had to settle me down I was so ticked. Where the fu..k was the jet ski, your friend nearly drowned as..holes!

Had I not stopped to fish one more spot this guy drowns.

I cussed jet skiers before because they annoy me never thought I would save one.

Tom

 

 

[geo g]

You certainly made a difference in that man’s life.  WTG Tom!