Hope everyone had a great holiday season and a great new year. I just wanted to say that I was thinking about my Dad today like I do everyday of my life, Franklin "Smitty" Smith. Guys like Jimmy Legrand, Billy Seaman some of what ya'll call the dream team. I remember Billy Seaman in my Dad's store Smitty's Sporting Goods, at the age of probably 10 years old. He was a fishing fool at Ray Hubbard off the bank. Good kid then and a great man now. I was just thinking about my Dad today as I am getting ready to go to Brazil peacock bass fishing with my customers. My Father was the best, dream team and all were rookies before they met my dad.
Jimmy Smith - Smittys Guide Service

Really enjoyed your dad, he still has the hybrid record on Twak doesn't he?

That's great Jimmy...I remember coming into your store in just about every decade of my life...back when Jefferson was a nice street in Oak Cliff...lol...

I appreciated all the help your Dad and you would provide and it was always a fun place to be. You may or may not remember me...Jim Wallace...I think my Uncle Mike coached you in baseball...another TFF small world moment.

Glad you're on the TFF now and you'll have lots of small world moments in this place.

Good luck with the Peacock Bass and I'm extremely jealous...!

Boy, the stories we would tell at the counter at Smitty's. Gene and Smitty would kill me when they would waltz in mid-afternoon with a 50 qt. cooler stuffed to the top with Big Sandies and Hybrids.
Back when cellphones were not in vogue like now, Smitty used to flash a light at you on Tawakoni if he was on a school of fish and did not mind sharing.
Also enjoyed my many conversations in the gunshop with the famous RC guide Bob Holmes.
It has always been a dream of mine to go Peacock Bass fishing, I could not imagine doing that without the help of someone as astute as Jimmy.

Good to hear from you Jimmy. We met once back on Tawakoni about 4-5 years ago at the boat ramp. I was just getting going on my guiding business here on CC. It's been a fun business. Sorry I never had the chance to meet your dad, sounds like he was a great guy. Have fun in Brazil!

Yes, Matt, Pops still has the lake record. Hope that you are ok, take care.

Jim Wallace, Yes Mike Wallace was my track coach. Tell me if he is ok.

Thanks for the response from every one.

Jimmy...Mike is fully retired now and doing very well. You might be remembering the one health scare he had a few years ago but that was taken care of and he is fine...still looks as fit as always...

I hope you get some good pic and post them when you get back...that sounds like a trip of a lifetime.

Jimmy I fish with Jim Legrande quite a bit, there is hardly a trip that goes by that he doesn't mention your dad or the store.
I know he is missed by all who knew him.

I was just asking fastguy recently about Smitty's. I saw billy post something about the store and the dream team. Pretty cool to hear the history of it and how it was all tied together. Also meeting all the folks mentioned at George's last birthday party.
When i was a kid my mom used to take me there as a treat. I could spend hours in the place. I do think i faintly remember your dad. I guess i was about 8 at the time. I still remember a five gallon bucket full of crappie me and my sister caught at the stocktank on the farm. Chartruese twist tail grubs from a bulk bin at your dads store. He helped me pick them out.

Jimmy-your dad was a saint i knew from 1969-talked for a hour every time-he had a few health things on the water but did not make any differnce because he like me was ready to fish no matter what -it takes a man like that and a son like that to have a great family-allway good to see you

Great memories. I am fortunate enough to still have my dad, and we fish together quite often during the warmer months. I think I'll give him a call in the morning just to bs with him about fishing. I'm sure your dad smiles every time you catch a fish, remembering the times from heaven. Thanks for the post.

Jimmy,
I think about the store, your dad and mom, all you guys, whenever I drive past the old location. I still have a lot of the stuff I bought there. I've got an old Fenwick spinning rod my wife bought for me when we were first married - 27 years this year. Your dad always had great stories and a recent fishing report to share with whoever walked through the door. You could just see the excitement in his eyes when he began to tell it. There will never be another store like it or another Smitty.

dale.

I learned a lot of spots on both Tawakoni and CC from them. Gosh Smitty and Gene had fished both lakes as soon as the lakes filled up. Who needs a GPS when you have them around? I was raised that way too, line of sight works as well or almost as well as GPS just not when it is foggy. Let's see you line up a tower over a tree or a gazebo in front of a funny looking tree. Those were the days.

Ol Jimmy Boy,

I too miss your Dad. As you know, my Dad passed away about this time last year. Your relationship with your dad and My relationships with my dad are very, very simular, they are our best friend. Your Dad is a treasure and believe me, he knows how you feel about him (you are the best gift he ever recieved and he took that with him).

Coach Wallace was my all time favorite coach. He was my Track and football coach at Greiner back in the late 60's. He had more fun and had everyone else have more fun than any teacher/coach I had through school.
Hard Rain, tell Coach Wallace he's the best (he really pulled for the kids and took a personal interest in them). And he was a great coach, I learned so much from him.

Have Fun Jimmy with the Peacock Bass and send Bob Holmes back from there for fishing on RC in March.

Yes I do miss Smitty's, never got tired of going into the shop and buying, cutting up and listening, learning and finding out I had along way to go and still do! Glad to see you are doing well keep up the memories.