Ron and I started fishing together not all that long ago when he and I made a trip to Ohio to fish the Lake Erie tributaries for spring steelhead, and even though the catching was less than spectacular due to high temperatures and low water conditions, he discovered a new part of the fly fishing journey that needed further exploration. I knew he had a terminal case when a gorgeous silver rocket blasted out from underneath a logjam running the length of the most beautiful blue pool either of us had ever seen. Being a trout fisherman at heart, Ron fished this awesome looking spot like he would on any other trout stream but because there weren’t any fish in evidence, I hadn’t given it more than a passing glance. He actually taught me a thing or two that trip even though the fight with that fish was over as quickly as it began. He never got the line tight, nor the hook firmly in place, and he knew it. Despite failing to land the fish or get a photo to commemorate the occasion, the look of absolute shock and momentary fear is what I’ll remember for the rest of my days.
We’ve since made a trip to Michigan where I got lucky enough to land a few fish while Ron worked very hard but was unable to remain connected more than a few minutes. He always had his chin up and was looking forward to the next curve, the next river, the next 1000 casts, whether they panned out or not. He was out there to have a good time. He’s taken many other trips to the region with greater levels of success while never failing to send me a picture or two of him busting chrome while I’m stuck behind the counter, resigned to watching live webcam feeds of my home waters. He’s not rubbing it in, but rather sharing the experience while still in the moment.
Ron truly deserves to be on the water as much as possible after working hard his whole life, raising a family, and volunteering his time with a variety charitable organizations and causes. He’s always been willing to lend a hand and has never asked for anything in return so taking a few days out of my schedule to spark a new passion in someone like him wasn’t even a question. I knew he’d respect and appreciate the opportunity and the fish for the rest of his life, but I surely didn’t expect to get pictures on a regular basis. I love seeing them but there is a touch of jealousy when I reply “GREAT FISH! CONGRATULATIONS!" Being there with him would have made it all that much better.
I’m glad to have been able to share my passion with a great fishing partner who I hope to spend a lot more time on the water with. I only hope he’s willing to share some of his secret spots when I get the chance to return home to water I grew up on. He probably knows how to fish them better than I ever did at this point.
Brian "Beastman” Eastman
from fishing for bass http://ift.tt/1M7rQ4Z via his explanation
from Tumblr http://ift.tt/1iUYqwt
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