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01-20-2013, 09:01 PM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Dana Point area
Posts: 438
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Please Lord, just one more fish!
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! |
01-20-2013, 09:05 PM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Under a bridge
Posts: 2,169
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One of the nicest posts in a while, hat of to you.
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01-20-2013, 09:10 PM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: San Diego
Posts: 732
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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!
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01-20-2013, 09:44 PM | #4 |
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Posts: n/a
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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 |
01-20-2013, 10:05 PM | #5 |
Junior
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: San Diego
Posts: 23
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Thanks for sharing.
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01-20-2013, 10:06 PM | #6 |
The Kayak Peddler
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: North Hollywood
Posts: 591
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Thats a sad storry but props to you for getting him out fishing.
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Keep your rod close, your gaff closer, and your paddle on a leash. |
01-20-2013, 10:10 PM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: La Jolla
Posts: 1,216
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Thanks for sharing. Sorry about your old man.
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01-20-2013, 10:22 PM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 309
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Too cool, he moved on smiling. Priceless.
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01-20-2013, 10:34 PM | #9 |
Steve-O.
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: North OC
Posts: 120
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Thank you for sharing
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01-20-2013, 10:43 PM | #10 |
Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: San Juan Capistrano
Posts: 69
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Heart Warming Story
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 |
01-20-2013, 10:44 PM | #11 |
Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: San Juan Capistrano
Posts: 69
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I also still have my homemade kayak...but I may be using the orange Trident quite a bit now too.
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01-20-2013, 10:58 PM | #12 | |
Bay Destroyer
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: San Diego
Posts: 86
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Quote:
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01-20-2013, 11:08 PM | #13 |
Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Riverside / Temecula Ca
Posts: 92
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Thanks for sharing. Grounds you to what life is bout. Condolences and thanks for his service (I'm sure he's reading). Great post
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01-21-2013, 06:30 AM | #14 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: O.C.
Posts: 352
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Wayne-
Nice sentiment and narrative... See you soon! JB
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"I Brake for Halibut" |
01-21-2013, 06:32 AM | #15 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Waiting to launch
Posts: 1,381
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True love
Thank you for the morning tears. It made me recall fishing width my father.
A very sincere thank you! |
01-21-2013, 06:49 AM | #16 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Costa Mesa
Posts: 278
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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
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01-21-2013, 07:32 AM | #17 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: South OC
Posts: 1,606
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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. |
01-21-2013, 08:13 AM | #18 |
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: newbury park ca
Posts: 2,323
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Thank you for sharing, life is short, live to full...wonderful heart warming post.
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01-21-2013, 08:41 AM | #19 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 555
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Thank you for that. I still fish with my dad. Every chance I get. Priceless
Janine
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Fishtales |
01-21-2013, 09:05 AM | #20 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,856
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Great story and thanks for sharing.
My brother in law suffers from the same disease.
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