What have people done to make you glad you asked them along?

[BlackSilver]

Enough of the negative crap.

What have people done in your boat to make you glad you asked them along?

SET the hook!!!

Hans

[Goldpig]

I am normally tickled when I get a sincere thank you when we are done for the day. I don't know how many times I have brought somebody fishing and they were just thrilled to have the opportunity to catch a couple fish. The look in their eyes, the smile on their face, and a thank you are reward enough for me.

[s.f.]

i agree with the first answer. all i need is to feel their excitement and appreciation for the fishing experience. in 35 years of guiding and teaching fishing, a sincere thank you and just an enthusiastic attitude makes my day. watching kids catch their first fish and their parents excitement make my best memories.

#49

[Juls_WI]

Amen.

[Magic]

Had nothing but good to say, we all had fun all day and then they pay for more than their share of expenses and will not take the $$$ back if you try. I know I'll ask them to go again!!!!!

[Reels]

When my son or daughter bring a friend along and they fish for the first time. It's allways special.

<{{}}><

[Fishoil]

There's nothing I enjoy more than the excitement of someone who just caught the biggest walleye of their life. Fortunately I live near productive water and get to enjoy the excitement often.

[Gilligan]

A picture is worth a thousand words, much shorter also! This is a friend of my sons that tagged along one day, first ever walleye, first ever fish over 12". I'll find an empty seat anytime for a look like that.
http://www.walleyecentral.com/Get_Togethers/2001/Eastern/pages/Dave.htm

[TK_551]

It is a good feeling when you take people out and have a good day. Sometimes that does not happen the way we want it to. Pretty much everyone I have taken out has told me they had a blast learning new techniques and just being out on the water all day. I am the one usually complaining and apologizing that we didn't do so hot. You all know what they say though, "A bad day fishing is better than a good day at work."

Tom
#551

[bluelund]

A friend of mine and his wife brought me a bag of dog biscuits for my golden retriever. They know how I feel about my dog and this touched me more than anything. Also had a friend ask me to pull my truck up near the dock to haul some stuff back to my trailer and while I was putting stuff away he had the resort fill my truck with gas. This is a great post, thanks for bringing back some good memories.

Take care and good fishing,

Bob M

[hgf]

Amen to the above. A special note to the ones who buy supper, tell you they had a great time even if the fish weren't biting, volunteer to wash the dishes, and, most of all, when the wife tells you afterwards how grateful she is you took her husband along! I get the biggest kick having someone new enjoy it for the first time!

[Tracy]

My best feel good moment with people along on my boat occurred last summer in June, the 15th to be exact! I had 5 friends out with me on Erie fishing for walleyes off of Monroe. I dock in East Harbor so we were real far from home! 28.8 miles. Our 36th fish hit the ice at 12:45. I fired the boat up at 12:55 and slid it in gear only to sit dead in the water! Tried reverse, still no movement! Lifted the engine box, put her in gear again, shaft was turning just like normal, but no propulsion #$#@!!! I took off all of my clothes and dove in. No prop! Inboard, no spare! Long tow 4 hours! The group all pitched in 30 bucks a piece to help pay for a new one.

Nice guys!
Tracy

[Walizz 1]

Just hearing the thank yous for an enjoyable day. Taking fathers and sons out when they are first learning. The look on a kids face when he reels in his first big fish. C'mon spring.

[Scooter]

When my kids catch fish and say they had a great time.!!!!!!
When theres more laughter than moaning and complaning.And to have help with the money and not cost me more than it would have to fish by myself.Also when they catch the biggest fish they have ever caught no matter what it is.

[vetspet(ind)]

i auction a salmon fishing trip off at the purdue fall conference yearly, and one year a vet from kokomo bid on the trip...he has four daughters like myself and brought two young bucks along to fish...we missed the first three steelhead and then the kids resolved to not miss any more fish...well they kept their word and we caught five more steelhead and had a blast, afterwards one of the young men who just got back from a trip to california said.."this was more fun than the trip to california"...i will always remember that...steve

[Rod Holder]

I have taken my son and his best friend fishing in northern Michigan for six years in a row now. All I get is a "Thank You" but it is more than enough. This generally comes in a card through snail mail after we get back. It's worth it. My son and I would have neither a "Bait Boy" nor "Trashman" were his friend not along with us and sitting in the center seat. He takes the good natured ribbing in stride and catches some 'eyes. We generally have a pact, "First one to catch a keeper 'eye buys ice cream." We have all had our number pulled. It is worth it in spite of spilled caramel corn or whatnot that had to be cleaned up. Going back again this summer for the seventh time. I never had this when I was a kid. Nice to see to it that my son does.

[mnjimcarp]

on the saturday immediately after fishing the wave wackers tourney last year i met a friend and his son on mille lacs for a day of fishing. they both caught several big walleyes that day. it was perfect. at the end of the day, the boy looked at me and said, "Thanks! that was the best day of walleye fishing I have ever had." what a great sport. he and his dad were pleased and i was even more pleased!

[Fishingdog]

Ya know, I have a fishin' buddy that does not have a boat. He always is willing to help clean out the boat, pay for gas, buy incidentals...

I always clean the fish and he gets drinks ready and puts stuff away. One day it was below freezing where I cleaned the fish and my hands would not work. It was a struggle to say the least. The next time we went fishing, he handed me a filet glove and said "here, use this. You deserve it!"

Doesn't sound like much, only a $10 glove but ya know, he was thinking of me. Sounds a little corny but that was one of the nicest things someone has done for me in a long time.

[Gary]

Ummm....put up with me?

Seriously, just the smiles from my friends kids when we go "fast" and hit the "bumps". The squeal of delight of landing a fish. The stories told, the stories made to be told next time.

Knowing that they appreciate it, is my payment cause I know they'll pass it along.

[Cangl]

Being preared for the cold and being able to fish it, and catching as many or more fish then I do. Helps keep my nose onto fish. The smile on their faces when you "warn" them of fish and they set it!

[s.f.]

i gave an overall answer to this post earlier but thought i'd share a story that stands out of the thousands of great, appreciable moments i have experienced.
for many years, as with many others, a group of guys came to our resort for thier annual fishing trip. one was a high school shop teacher. early one spring, he, who preached safety, lost four fingers on his right hand in the lawnmower. word was he was very depressed and lost the will to live. the july trip rolled around and the group convinced him to come along as usual. the first morning he stayed in the room while the others ate breakfast, not wanting to go on the boat. i went to the room and let him know in no uncertain terms, the boat ain't leavin' until he is on it. so he finally gave in and pouted his way onto the boat. everyone started fishing as he just sat there. i put a rod out for him in a holder next to him. not long after, a walleye was beatin' on his line. he turned to me as if to say 'come on, get it!' i just looked at him and did nothing. he finally grabbed the rod and set the hook, holding it with his good hand high and tight, again turning to me for help. i just grabbed the net and said, emphaticlly, 'you gonna reel it in or just stand there!' he looked at the reel, cupped his palm on the handle and started reeling. i netted the walleye as tears rolled down his cheeks... along with everyone else on the boat.
i have many fishing plaques on the wall, but the one from him, thanking me for giving him the will and confidence to live, is the most important and most memorable. that fishing trip, by itself, is all the thanks i need for a lifetime...
#49

[JT]

Taking kids who don't get out much. The happiest guy I've had in my boat was about eight years old. He caught a four pound carp while we were fishing for perch. He talked about that for weeks. Another fun moment was when a neighbor girl caught her first walleye fishing with me.

[Backwater Eddy]

Ditto... Kids come in all sizes, from 8 to 80 +/-, get them on their first fish and see the smile of a life time apear just like magic.

Tickles me every time!

:D

Prase the lord and pass the piggys.

Backwater Eddy ~ ~ ~><sUMo> ~ ><>

http://msnhomepages.talkcity.com/ResortRd/backwtr1/home.html

[Marble Eyes]

http://game.3dgw.com/~rodn/pics/Sara'sWalleye-8lb,28inch6-25-01(4).jpg

Kids never forget....and neither do Dads.

[Eyez]

Teaching someone something or learning something from them.


Eyez

[Hawgeye]

That is a classic! Great fish and look at that smile! I bet she will be hooked for life...maybe the next Juls!

[ChuckD]

Every year on fishing opener I take my mother fishing for "take a mother fishing weekend". She lives in Bemidji, close to the lake, but never had the means to get on the water and enjoy it. Just the look she gives when she hauls in her first fish of her life, and the season....priceless! She keeps photos of her fish on her fridge and has the biggest smile I have ever seen.

I enjoy taking people fishing, especially those who have never fished before. Its a challenge in itself to put them on fish and remember that moment for the rest of their lives. Now that's fishing!

[Schnauzer]

I had a friend of mine from work out a few times this summer. I bought my boat/motor and 99% of my gear (everything from boat fenders to anchors to gps) this spring and there are a few things that slipped through the cracks... like a dip net. I never had one before because I didn't have a boat. I just bought a cheap $12.00 one on my first outing and kept reminding myself to upgrade it. I kept forgetting and the cheap one was getting by so by fall I just figured I'd get a decent one over the winter. On my last trip out with my work buddy, he shows up with a nice dip net for me. I thought that was really nice. He not only spent the money but he also took the time to stop, pick one out, and buy it. It was just the one I intended to buy over the winter... Very nice thing to do.

[redbone]

My tournament partner takes care of getting things ready in the morning when i'm running a little slow. can always count on him.
And for just being there. Thanks john.

bob piette

[Marble Eyes]

Thanks, She likes to remind dad of who catches the big ones when I taker her along...

Course isn't that what it is all about?

[Chad]

My partner has asked me along a couple times with his 85 year old dad. His dad is funny as heck. He has a 5'5" zebco rod and a zebco 404 reel. He hooks his crawlers in the middle and catches more fish then either of us. I had the outdoors editor do an article on a trip he took with my partner and he was tickled pink to see it. His quote was to leave those $200 rod and reels at home. All you need is a $20 combo from walmart.

[Skillz]

The people who have been posting on this subject have generally been telling tales of children or others who have not had the opportunity to go fishing. Now, they are answering the original question, as to what have people done to make them glad you took them fishing... I think back to being a child and being grateful that my father took me fishing.

To all of those people who get a simple thank you, smile or whatever.... I am positive it works both ways. Although the people you take fishing may give you a simple thanks or smile, as for me, I didn't always verbally thank my father for taking me; but he knows, and I know that the time spent together was what made the experience. Catching fish was secondary. It could be cold as a witch's tit, rainy, windy- whatever... looking over and seeing another person enduring the same weather as you, and having the companionship that only a father (or father-figure) can provide is priceless. The memories last a lifetime.

I will make sure to model, and provide for my children the same ways my father did for me. I am all grown up now and miss the adventures we had while I was young. Take comfort in the fact that you provided memories for those, regardless of a thank-you, smile or whatever. Sometimes kids get caught up in the moment and forget those who are providing the experiences.

For those of you who did not get a thank you in the past, I will take this opportunity to speak on behalf of all of us who did not verbally say thanks.

You provided an unforgetable moment in the lives of someone who otherwise might not have had it. Good for you!!!

skz


Good Fishin'!!!!

[hgmeyer]

My 20 yr old son statred out fishing in the boat with my dad and me...three generations...enjoying our sport together...He's been "at it" in some fashion since he was three...Through the years we have shared a lot together...including the loss of my dad six years ago...

Now, at 20 he has pretty good boat handling skills...a solid knowledge of the skills...I have given him my old boat and he now takes his friends out with him...

When one of his friends regales me with a story of how good or how helpful my son was...I can hardly keep from crying for joy...

My son is poised to share what I got from my dad and he has now "inherited"...That is a great feeling.

[Skillz]

I think that last one hits home well. There is nothing like getting up at the crack of dawn to spend some quality time with family and maybe one or two very close friends.


skz



Good Fishin'!!!!

[trihull]

OJIBWA

[john mannerino]

I think the BEST day I had on the water is when I got skunked and the dad and son I took out SLAMED fish all day. Wow thanks for bringing that back. John

[Buckeye]

Most of the time my crew is one or more of my 3 kids and/or their friends. They say a picture is worth a thousand words so if you go to the "Kids Corner" http://www.walleyecentral.com/kidscorner.shtml from the WC mainpage and click on Dori Hirzel's name you can see for yourself what makes my day.

[Nofish]

Little things,

Offer to buy lunch/dinner
Offer to help w/ gas
Stayed around a bit and help tidy up boat

Just little things. Many times I decline cash, but have been known to accept a sammich or two.....LOL

Have fun.........R

[Cormorant]

Yeah all these posts are good. I even got misty eyed on a couple. But hasn't anyone brought out a wife or girlfriend (who don't fish)and the fishing was slow...no one around...And you finally made the move...and started catching fish(or whatever)??!! Or did people post those stories only to have them squashed. Just for fun, Jason

[Sheila]

Only 1 answer for me: CAUGHT FISH!

[FishGuy]

He jumped right in there with the net without being told and helped me land my only fish of the day, but my biggest walleye to date (6 lb 2oz). Then he took my picture with the fish (it came out great!) and witnessed the release. Then, since he had caught two perch, he had the nerve to claim that the score was still 2 to 1 in is favour!

I knew then that I would be fishing with this guy for a long time.

Tight lines!

[ladyfish]

Have asked ages 7 to 75 along to fish... so far all have been good experiences although i end up working pretty hard to help them as they get the hang of it and start catching... Best experience was a 74 year old lady who hadnt been fishing in over 35 years... I spent a lot of time hip deep in the water untangling her gear, had to cast for her since we were sitting in the trees fishing from shore, but the photo i have of her holding three 10 to 14 inch trout (two rainbows and one brook) is a real treat... The smile says it all...