Please Lord, just one more fish!

[Vikingj]

I entered the ICU to visit my friend, Big Rich and when he saw me he smiled and raised his index finger - our inside joke meaning “just one more fish”. My thoughts went back to our last fishing trip to Port Hueneme pier. But before I go on, let me tell you a little history.
My father-in-law, Richard, was born in 1918 in Pt. Hueneme. Starting when he was about 10 yrs old he would spend summers and most weekends fishing on the old pier with his buddies. He loved to fish! The only days he missed were when he ran out of tackle and would hoe the lima bean fields to earn enough for another several weeks of fishing. He would tell the story of how one day he caught a sizeable halibut that he could barely carry. He paraded down Main St. and all the shop owners came out to see his big catch! As he got older his fishing was greatly reduced when he joined the military to help chase Nazis out of No. Africa, got married, worked, settled in Oxnard, and raised 5 kids. When he was 59yrs he was talking about future retirement and the chance to do some fishing. Unfortunately, he awoke one morning to discover that his arms and legs were paralyzed from Guillain Barre Syndrome. He regained use of his arms but his legs never fully recovered and he hadn’t been fishing for 35 years and always had excuses whenever I brought it up. So, one day last year my son and I “kidnapped” him and pushed his wheelchair out on the Hueneme Pier for one more fish! After a while with no bites his eyes got big as his rod started to jerk like crazy. He fought that mackerel like it was a big game fish and broke into a giant smile as it was landed. He was thrilled and talked about it for months.

pics:Big Rich, his grandson, and me at Hueneme Pier,Big Rich going for one more fish



Big Rich was happy and content when he passed away a few days ago at the age of 94 . After looking at the picture below I wonder if he was trying to tell me that he would soon be going “up stairs” and waiting for us to join him to get just one more fish!

[StinkyMatt]

One of the nicest posts in a while, hat of to you.

[Sdspeed]

Your a Class Act! to have one person in each of our lives that care that much and will go the extra distance would be like winning the lottery!

When you take away the egos, the secrets and the chest puffing. This is the true essence of what fishing is all about. Seeing 3 generations together enjoying the same sport brings back memories for me of my brothers and my dad fishing as little kids. I'm sure this is true for a high percentage of others as well.

Thank you for sharing. Slowly but surely my faith in humanity is being restored.

Cheers to you

[1morecast]

Thanks for sharing.

[Biggameaddict]

Thats a sad storry but props to you for getting him out fishing.

[JeffB]

Thanks for sharing. Sorry about your old man.

[Gigafish]

Too cool, he moved on smiling. Priceless.

[eertkao]

Thank you for sharing

[sanjuancapokayak]

Wayne,
Thank You for Sharing. I haven't seen you out on the water lately. I just made a trade for a trident 15. I haven't got the chance to put her in the water, but I can't wait.
Shared this One more Fish Lord story with my wife. It's very true, what is stated above...that is what makes fishing great. Sharing it with friends and family. Way to go Man! Props. Probably be out there Tues. hope to see you out there. Gotta enjoy this weather while it lasts.

Bryan

[sanjuancapokayak]

I also still have my homemade kayak...but I may be using the orange Trident quite a bit now too.

[flytuber4]

Originally Posted by Drake

When you take away the egos, the secrets and the chest puffing. This is the true essence of what fishing is all about. Seeing 3 generations together enjoying the same sport brings back memories for me of my brothers and my dad fishing as little kids. I'm sure this is true for a high percentage of others as well.

Thank you for sharing. Slowly but surely my faith in humanity is being restored.

Cheers to you

Glad to see there are still good people around. Great story

[Wayne_R]

Thanks for sharing. Grounds you to what life is bout. Condolences and thanks for his service (I'm sure he's reading). Great post

[mrJB]

Wayne-

Nice sentiment and narrative...

See you soon!

JB

[MrPatrick]

Thank you for the morning tears. It made me recall fishing width my father.
A very sincere thank you!

[MVC]

Hi Wayne, a good fishing story. I had Guillian Barre Syndrome 2 years ago. I woke up 3 days after Christmas and could not walk. At one point I was completely paralyzed. I almost completely recovered but many people like your father inlaw do not. I hope to see you soon at Dana

[DanaPT]

Sorry about your loss wayne. Great post. Even at a mere 94 years, life is short. I'm glad you were able to take you dad out 1 last time. Get's me to think I ought to do the same thing now.. . Why wait, right?

Enjoy the week. See you out on the water.

[mtnbykr2]

Thank you for sharing, life is short, live to full...wonderful heart warming post.

[janines.fishtales@cox.net]

Thank you for that. I still fish with my dad. Every chance I get. Priceless

Janine

[jorluivil]

Great story and thanks for sharing.

My brother in law suffers from the same disease.