Soldier Creek in Memory of
Well, I lost one of my two long time fishing buddies Sunday morning. His wife called at 0430 to let us know he had passed during the night. After the diagnosis of stage 4 liver/pancreatic cancer of which they gave him 2 weeks to 6 months to live, he made it exactly 14 days. We had been friends and fishing companions for 42 years. Met him when I married his sister in 1977.
Everyone grieves in their own way. I spent Sunday and Monday consoling my wife, preparing for the services, ordering flowers, visiting with relatives, taking care of essentials, etc. The funeral is tomorrow, so Tuesday was for me in solace. Even with the threat of rain/snow, I headed to SC for a solo to reflect. The wife, I am sure doesn't quite understand, though we have been together for a long time so she knows fishing is my peace.
I arrived at the launch at 0630, not a boat or trailer in sight. Loons and grebes, my only companions. 32* air temp and 43* surface temp with a light wind from the south. Rain threatened, but never appeared. I put out the first downrigger soon after leaving the launch, at 15' and was letting out line for the second pole, when I got the first koke on that surface pole. I brought the first pole up to 7' and 5 minutes later had two in the boat. Turned south toward the hump. Two more koke long releases, 2 fat bows and 2 decent cutts later. I headed back toward the launch, remembering how great it was to fish with my brother-in-law. Back just out in front of the marina, I got a double to fill my limit of kokes. Docked before 0900. Pretty reasonable day for as cold and threatening as it was.
Met the only other fisherman I saw on the ramp as I was retrieving my boat. Pretty great day. I'm sure feeling dissipate with time, but I hope I remember the good times. Greg, this one's for you Pal.
Everyone grieves in their own way. I spent Sunday and Monday consoling my wife, preparing for the services, ordering flowers, visiting with relatives, taking care of essentials, etc. The funeral is tomorrow, so Tuesday was for me in solace. Even with the threat of rain/snow, I headed to SC for a solo to reflect. The wife, I am sure doesn't quite understand, though we have been together for a long time so she knows fishing is my peace.
I arrived at the launch at 0630, not a boat or trailer in sight. Loons and grebes, my only companions. 32* air temp and 43* surface temp with a light wind from the south. Rain threatened, but never appeared. I put out the first downrigger soon after leaving the launch, at 15' and was letting out line for the second pole, when I got the first koke on that surface pole. I brought the first pole up to 7' and 5 minutes later had two in the boat. Turned south toward the hump. Two more koke long releases, 2 fat bows and 2 decent cutts later. I headed back toward the launch, remembering how great it was to fish with my brother-in-law. Back just out in front of the marina, I got a double to fill my limit of kokes. Docked before 0900. Pretty reasonable day for as cold and threatening as it was.
Met the only other fisherman I saw on the ramp as I was retrieving my boat. Pretty great day. I'm sure feeling dissipate with time, but I hope I remember the good times. Greg, this one's for you Pal.