The Beauty of Passin it Foward

[Guest the_muddy_man]

Hey Fellas: The genorosity around here is more than overwhelming IT IS INSPIRING>

Since I have been in recovery(15yrs) I have made it a point to take guys who are just getting clean or out of jail fishing. Start em out with some gear and a few trips out. A lot of guys coming back to society do not know what to do for recreation. This was done for me when I first came in from the cold and to honor the guys who helped me I have continued this through out my whole recovery

I got a big pay back last night. I have been fishing with this one guy , now he has severval years clean. He was all axcited and related this story to me. He had been shore fishing the day before, and was knocking em dead with some plastics i gave him. There we a couple of kids , fishing with their folks and werent catching anything. One of the kids asked him what we was using, and he told them and showed them the *** Stiks. It turns out the kids were using old waded up power bait. He asked their parents permission and hooked em up with some EXG hooks and Trik Sticks. He showed em how to trig em and was going on his way When one of the kid hooked up and brought a bass in

This guy is getting tears in his eyes and says " YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN THE LOOK IN THAT KIDS EYE" I said to him " PROBABLLY WAS THE SAME LOOK YOU HAD IN YOUR EYES" so we are both standing there welling up! I have found my niche in the fishing community and have found a way to help recovering addicts what could be more perfect in God's world

I have experienced extrem acts of kindness here fro: Avid,RW,LBH,Catt,Riskkid,Alpster,Gman,Flukenmaster And Zel among others. I think this is the main underlying draw that we all wind up at BassResource.com and what keeps us here. In the long run it is an outcropping of our leader GLENN, who when you meet hime his genorosity and humility shine

[Hookemdown.]

That's a touching story muddy.  Both of you are a real class act.

[roadwarrior]

It's all you, buddy...

You da MAN!  

8-)

[Guest the_muddy_man]

Hey Thanks, but this isn't about me. It's about a spirit from certain fellas on the outside and what people do around here. It is something we should all encourage and support IN EACH OTHER.

[Daniel My Brother]

Great post Muddy!

I really think "finding your niche" is what makes a fisherman great. For some it's a knack for catching hogs, others build great rods, and some like you do the most important work of all, you turn ordinary people in bass fishermen!

:)

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Turning someone on to the passion of fishing is extremely rewarding,....that feeling increases when you do it with people who need it.  

Muddy, ever think of starting a program for recovering friends?  I'd be happy to write up some request letters for manufacturers for you.  Generosity on these levels has a way of snowballing, you could be amazed at what you could start.  

Think Glenn had any idea of just how much great stuff would be generated right here on the board, way back in '97?  Think about it, I'll help.

[Guest the_muddy_man]

Thanks LBH, but there is the anonymity thing going on. Thats why I get a lot of stuff on the flea market. I also get help from some of the guys in revovery that have funds to put in. It is working OK the way we have it going. I appreciate the offer  

[mattm]

Thats really cool muddy 8-).

[MALTESE FALCON]

Way to go Muddy, what a great story.

Falcon

[Catt]

It's not the number of times someone falls that counts but the number of times he gets up

Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend

Proverbs 27:17

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Muddy, anonymity is fine and wouldn't be jeopardized but wouldn't it be nice to have a few boxes in your closet with 10-15 rod combos each and a bunch of tackle boxes with the basics?  What we do is contact, plano, zebco, eagle claw, etc and pitch it.  They will either donate or more likely offer you a special buying price.

If that's the case, it could be as low as $200 to start you off with a bunch.  That is very easily attainable from a number of places.

Wal-mart or someone like that might even donate the gear directly.  You are not asking for much, 5-10 combos at a time.  Pennies for these places.  

One phone call to the right law firm that handles drunk driving cases or something and the whole thing is funded, trust me on this one.

MADD, SADD, many "other" organizations would back up such a program also.  Think about it.  

---The only anonymity lost would be yours and if you ask around, many here will agree with me that people need to know about people like you.  

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

 

---The only anonymity lost would be yours and if you ask around, many here will agree with me that people need to know about people like you.  

MM-When I wrote this line, I was brought back to the conversation we had a long time ago about how you view yourself.  You are not a person that was so weak he fell to the bottom, you are the guy that climbed out.  You are an example of life after death, people need examples of how it can be and how you can still attain to be one of the more respected leaders in your community.  You have the heart, I have the tools.  Let's get busy.  

[Catt]

Muddy if you choose to take Russ up on his offer or not I for one salute both of you  

[RiskKid.]

Muddy if you choose to take Russ up on his offer or not I for one salute both of you  

Make that two salutes!  

[FishingBuds]

It's not the number of times someone falls that counts but the number of times he gets up

Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend

Proverbs 27:17

Amen Catt

Muddy & Russ- you guys are great examples of stepping up to help and reach out- Thats being a real man.

people need to know more about people like you two.

Heck is there anything we could do?? :-?

[Long Mike]

I'm not trying to play Devil's Advocate here.  I'm just trying to look at it from Muddy's point of view.  I'm very sure that he is VERY selective about whom he ultimately invites to go fishing.  I doubt very seriously that he waits at the exit door of the de-tox ward or at the prison gates.  We are not talking about hundreds or even tens of people waiting in line to go fishing with Dominick.  We are talking about one person at a time in whom he sees promise.  I would imagine that Muddy would take weeks or even months to decide on a promising individual who will not take his/her new rod and reel and hock it for the next fix.

I just so happens the Muddy is in a unique position.  First and foremost he is a recovering drug abuser.  Secondly, he is well trained in dealing with recovering abusers.  And finally, he is an avid fisherman.  He could have all the sponsorship in the world, but that would not allow him to be on the water with even one more person than the one he has chosen as a good candidate.

So, where is the potential for the sponsors to achieve great things for the benefactors of their largess?  I can't foresee an annual "Take a Drunk (or Druggie) Fishing Day."

That said, I sincerely hope that those of you who think "outside of the box" will prove me wrong.

[frogtog]

All I can say is Muddy you the man. Keep up the good work. ( Just think what

the world would be like if everybody was willing to help someone else )

[the captain]

I second that FishinBuds is there anything we can do. And uh not to be rude but Russ what is that big word that you was usin earlier that started with an A what does it mean I don't understand.

[the captain]

Ya know thats a good idea long mike we should all get together somewhere that is fairly centrally located in the country and we should all bring 1 person that is a recovering addict whether it be from drugs or alcohol. Even if everyone can't do this we should all strive to help someone even if they aren't recovering we should strive to help at least one person every day I know that everyone is not going to do this but even if most of us do it will make the entire world and country a much better and happier place.

[Guest the_muddy_man]

Hey Mike; I really pick the worse of the worse. This isn't based on popularity. When i came in I had no idea of what to do for recreation, and i did all I could to keep people away from me, because the dust hadn't settled in my brain yet So those are the guys I look for! The fellas who help me out when i need it are also in recovery and have no problems helping without getting involved

I posted this not to get ATTA BOYS . but to encourage, especially our younger members into using fishing as a way of getting involved with friends etc.. who may need someone to help em out or guide em. If anyone needs an ATTA BOY it's Russ, I dont do 1/2 of what that man does for his community! We have that spirit goin on here at BassResource.com, and it needs to be sowed and spread

[SPEEDBEAD.]

I second that FishinBuds is there anything we can do. And uh not to be rude but Russ what is that big word that you was usin earlier that started with an A what does it mean I don't understand.

Anonymity, you mean?  It means "remaining unnamed, unknown"

Comes from Anonymous.

[Guest the_muddy_man]

Speedbead: also means all are equal, not many know the concept. For the 12 step program I am in it means what is said here stays here AND ALSO and I think more importantly it means everyone walking through the door into that meeting has an aqual chance of revovering be they a corporate lawyer snorting coke or a street herion user. God knows i have been helped by the whole gamut of society

Also Guys: LETS BE RESONABLE I said helping recovering guys and ex cons IS MY NICHE, mostly because thats where I came from. You do not just scoop up a drunk, stick a rod in his hand and put him in a boat. Number 1 he's not going . Find a group of kids, the kid on your block, go to big brother's and find someone to reah out to. :

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Speed- I was confused with the application of the word, I thought he meant it wasn't possible because you wouldn't be able to promote or publicize the sponsors and that's the basic "payback" for being a sponsor.

We got it straightened out on the phone and things are smooth for Muddy.  I just wanted to offer a way for him to continue his work at his pace and by his rules but without having to come out of his own pocket for the cost of equipment but he's already got that covered too.

All good in the hood

[midnight_madness]

I will have to say, this thread has brought tears to my eyes. Thinking of what Muddy is doing, sorry Muddy, but ppl need to know what you do and how much effort you put into doing it. Just like the guy in the movie "Gridiron" and what he did for those kids and still does today. I think about what LBH is offering, YOU both are just class acts that are hard to follow. And, that A word that i can't spell lol, i did know what he was meaning. My son is a recovering addict. I have the 12 step program written down here at my desk. So, this is my .02. I think LBH is on to something, and Muddy you already have it started. I beleive the 2 of you could work out something great here. BTW, my son is now 9 months clean, but i sit and think now about the meetings that i went to with him and he has me to help him out, but there was a lot of kids there that had no one. Thinking about what you are doing Muddy, is just Amazing. Great Job  

[fish-fighting-illini]

 Muddy I know you don't want an atta boy bit your's is an awesome story. I've only been fishing for a few years but love it so much I've wanted to somehow share my enthusiasm.

  Somehow I'd like to reach out to less fortunate kids with fishing in hopes of steering them to a positive lifestyle. Having twin surprise daughters at 40yrs old ( on top of 3 teenage daughters) and a job set back have slowed my plan some but

maybe someday.(?)

 Your story gives me some ideas and some inspiration for the future. If I could do have as well compared to what you've done then it would be a success.