Quite a few times over the years I have been on the lake, at the ramp, or even in a tournament and met some real nice fellow fishermen.Sometimes I would meet an older gentleman and would offer to help him launch his boat or after a greeting and short conversation would simply exchange phone numbers and tell him to call me if he ran into any trouble on the water and needed help.Maybe I would even pass along a tip about some hidden stumps while running the lake or such.Over the last couple of years I have started having other fellow fishermen from time to time offer to help me with my boat at the ramp and even some advice about running the lake.I really didn't give it much thought as I have always been able to do it myself.Then Sunday a huge wind came up at Ray Hubbard.I decided it was time for me to leave even though it was only 11:30 and my tournie was not over till 2:30.A short time after leaving the lake I got a call from a fellow competitor asking if I was alright and to avoid running the main lake.I told him I was already off the lake and was okay.Then it dawned on me.I looked into the mirror and looking back was the old man,the same kind of guy I used to look out for.I thought for a minute and then realized that I was the oldest guy in the tournie that day.In fact at 62 I was the oldest guy in any of the last several tournies that I knew of.I was now the "old guy".The guy that folks wondered if he was up to the task of a rough day out or getting his boat on the trailer without falling. But I didn't feel badly at all about it. In fact it made me feel good that someone else was kind enough to be concerned about my safety.Yes, the man in the mirror was now the old guy !

You don't look a day over 61 Jerry!


I know you helped with a hook in my hand a few months back and I have said it before but THANK YOU again!!!

Good story. Hope I'm still able to fish when I'm 90. lol

I should mention that Brent Gandy and Phil Elder were the guys who called to check on me.They even had to call a friend just to get my phone number.

Thanks for looking out for me guys!

Wait a sec..... 62 is old now?

Craaaaaaappppppp!


Great story and even better insight.

Good stuff!

Great read. Just sort of happens to us overnight I reckon!

Excellent story. Feeling safe, knowing there is someone you can count on, means alot to us old guys.

Definitely need more anglers like yourself sir. I can only dream to be your age one day.

Peter

Good insight!

I never figured out how I got to be over the hill without making it to the top!

, How others feel towards you, say's a lot about your character.

Hey Jerry, don't keel over before I get to meet you:) your two loving sons having but great things to say about you....

Great story. Funny how things always tend to come full circle.

Good read and all so true.

The wind came up, the water got rough (white-capping +), and I decided to start heading to the ramp. By the time I got back I was cold/wet, and there was plenty of water in the boat. A man and his wife (strangers) were waiting for me. They said they were worried that something had happened to me since my GMC and boat trailer were still in the parking lot (the only ones there).
They stuck around and insisted on helping me load. I was kinda choked up, and had a hard time verbalizing my gratitude.