Jackie's Bass

[Lund Explorer]

Prior to departing for this year's road trip, I had jokingly posted of my plans to make our first stop of the trip at Fisherman's Headquarters. The goal of the visit was to not only pick up licenses for my wife Jackie and I, but also for her to pick up some "secret" lures with Deb's help. I can gladly report that Debbie was more than happy to help out.

You see, one of my goals for this trip was to include my wife in this adventure. While she doesn't post on these forum pages, she has always been supportive of my fishing. Besides trying to maintain our home, she is also a mother, grandmother, and now a great-grandmother to a tribe of fifteen. If the fact that she does all of this rather well while holding down a fulltime job isn't enough, she also has spent the last year or so becoming more immersed with the care of my mom as she slowly slips into elderly dementia.

That is my wife Jackie. Like a lot of the women we all know, family has always been put first. So while this road trip was a fishing adventure for me, it was also a chance for her to try to escape the many demands she faces each and every day.

Into this picture came Debbie. Not only did she help her pickup a selection of baits, but she gave her the confidence that she would succeed. The following Monday, Deb jumped at the chance to coach her along again when Jackie told her she was still having a hard time keeping up with this old fart. While the rest of us were standing around chatting, Deb and Jackie were down on the shoreline. Jackie with pole in hand and Deb giving her advice.

Part of the end result shows in the picture below, but it surely isn't the whole story. Our last day at this year's road trip was going to be Friday as we would be leaving a half day early. Mom had a few issues that we needed to get home to address, so the plan was to hit the water by 8am, and be back at the cabin by noon to pack up for the long drive home. Then about 11:30, it came to pass that the last place we stopped in Kentucky was going to be the first place we had visited. As luck would have it, we pulled into the parking lot just as Deb and CWB were arriving from their fishing trip that day. As I stood there with CWB lamenting the fact that the Jensen boys got their collective butts kicked that day, these ladies celebrated Jackie's catch. Just two gals, one helping the other accomplish much more than just catching a fish. To the end of my days, I will never be able to thank Deb enough for the memories she gave to my wife and I.

For the record, that fish weighed in on my scales at 4.71lbs. Not the biggest fish caught by the Bass Resource gang, but it was a priceless catch up here in the little Village of Rodney.

[Deb]

It was truly an HONOR to help Jackie! Just that she wanted my help was an honor. I was more than happy to share what little I did. She did the work!

The look on both of your faces was priceless when you met us in the parking lot! The joy and excitement on both of your faces was pure joy!!!!

I'm so happy for Jackie, that was a great catch and hopefully added a true memory that both you will cherish! I'm so happy to have been a small part of that

[Big-O]

I'm so proud of Jackie and Deb And Jackie.... that's a HAWG for sure Wonderful write up LE and I really enjoyed meeting y'all there!

Big O

www.ragetail.com

[OHIO]

Great story man. That fish looks a little bigger than 4.7 though.

[RoLo]

That's an insightful account Lund Explorer, and one that strikes remarkably close to home,

Your priorities are certainly in order.

Kudos to Jackie's hawg bass, I believe we’re now talking about two keepers

Roger

[Bluebasser86]

Very nice fish! Sounds like everyone had a lot of fun on the road trip!