Take the time to help!

[PierBridge]

Let's make it a goal to help somebody out this fishing season!

With the open water season upon us "finally" instead of getting all worked up over the guy at the ramp who may not be as prepared or organized as we would like, after all not everybody lives fishing or hunting 24/7 like most of us here do. This could be done by lending a hand to somebody launching there boat or giving some advice, direction to someone who isn't maybe as experienced as some of us may be.

It could be something as simple as what I did this past weekend. I went to my favorite Boat ramp on the river which recently just opened back up. I had the boat in tow thinking the shore-fishing may not be as good as it's been with the ramp opening and the addition of noise and commotion in the area. Upon arrival I noticed a couple kids standing just up-stream of the launch where we have had some pretty darn good Walleye action the previous week or so. I asked them how the fishing was and they said it was slow and they didn't think there were any fish around. I glanced down and saw the only pole between the 2 of them was laying on the ground and as I looked closer I could see it was a low profile bait caster with a nasty birds nest. I asked if I could give it a try to fix it and the one kid said yes that would be great the other took off on his skateboard. Long story short I ended up salvaging enough line to get him going and after some persuading I talked him into switching from this monstrous Bass thingy with about a hundred rubber tentacles and a spinner the size of small refrigerator to a Mimic minnow he had in his tackle box. So we get em all set up and I'm thinking, no doubt, here comes Birds nest version 2 and low and behold the kid nails the cast right where I told him, lands it right on the current seem and about 1/2 way back....BOOM! 16" Walter which was his 1st River Eye ever! 2nd cast he gets hit again and we lose the Mimic minnow tail so we tie on a 3" white Mr Twister with Red tail and the kid catches 4 more for a total of 5 eyes nothing big but super fun none the less.

I did actually nail a decent one on my first cast too "white moxie" but the Kid ended up beating me 5-2 for the hour or so we fished before dad came and picked them up. Needless to say the Kid shows up the next day with his Dad and the following evening with his Mom!!!!

It really made my day seeing that Kidd catch some fish and to know for at least the short term a another youth is hooked on fishing!

So let's have great season and try to help somebody out you'll feel better I know I did/do!

Pier~

[BartmanMN]

Nice story. Great job taking time to help out.

[Wanderer]

That's awesome. That kid will remember that day for a LONG time!

I agree with the intend of your post 100%. Pay it forward with a little good will toward your fellow anglers out there and the lakes, rivers and ramps will be a better place for everyone. We're all after the same thing - rookies or pros - just have some enjoyable time outdoors.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Great story. Thanks for sharing it.

[TruthWalleyes]

Great job, Great story!!

[TooTallTom]

Good looking out PierBridge! Thanks for being a positive example of us outdoorsy types.

[DTro]

Very cool!!

[Meat-Run]

Holy cow now that's inspiring thank you for sharing this on the eve of the eve of the eve of the fishing opener!!!!

mr

[PierBridge]

When I saw the tangled bait-caster I had Déjà vu which I'm sure a lot of you can relate to. Remember back when we were kids and we went to Target, Walmart, wherever on our bikes to get a new rod and reel and we saw the cheapy bait-caster that looked so much cooler than the Zebco 202 only to learn after that first cast that went out 4 feet and straight down into the water that they don't' work so hot with a split-shot, plain hook and corn for bait as far as casting goes..... I almost cried I was so frustrated with that purchase.... still hate them low-profile bait-casters to this day....

[RebelSS]

What a great story! We should all be like that...bet you just turned that little guy into a lifetime Fisherman...

[Chode2235]

Yeah, there are a lot of us who are still learning.

All of you who are experts were at one time newbies.

[BobT]

I would like to see this thread take off. How about we keep adding to it by posting situations where we've been helpful or received help from somebody. Not for the sake of boasting but just to share the stories and maybe help build up some morale.

[panfishpounder00]

way to go pier!!

i had a similar situation some years back, dad and i were on our annual spring carp/sucker fishing excursion at a local dam, we had fished for a couple of hours and had a bucket full of small suckers, a couple kids on bikes showed up and started fishing..... with literally tree branches and fishing line!! well after about a half hour my dad looks over at me and says "hey, did you tell those kids it was alright to use one of your rods?"..... um no!! i walked over and the one kid ran, i stopped him and said it was ok, that i wasnt mad. i had left one of my other rod/reels just down the bank. when the kids stumbled upon it. i set the kids up with each a rod/reel. and gave them some nightcrawlers, they fished with us for the entire trip and caught numerous suckers, well when the kids came over to give back my gear, i told them to keep them!! my dad just about fell over. the kids eyes light up and they told me to stop joking around, i said no, that i'm not joking, there yours. they left with really big smiles that day!my dad said i was crazy for giving away $120 in gear to some kids, i told him i was investing in our future not losing money, i had plenty of rod and reels and would do it again in a heartbeat. i still see one of the kids from time to time, i guess he had convinced his mom into buying herself a rod and lic. and now fish together on a regular basis. and yes, he still has the same rod that i gave to him after almost 8 yrs? now..

[PFUNK]

Wow... really awesome stories guys. If someone had given me a rod when I was a youngster I know I woulda been happier than a pig in mud. A fishing rod in a kids hand means he/she is that much more likely to stay out of trouble and end up with other things "in hand". It is always nice to hear about the good deeds that are being done by sportsmen across the state, as the "not so admirable" qualities always seem to get the most attention. I have read the threads about garbage being left on the ice, and cigarette butts littering the bottom of the lake, etc. I'll tell ya this... this thread is MUCH more fun to read and smile about.

[tunrevir]

TTT! Remember to lend a hand and be helpful this coming weekend. Alot of folks aren't going to be ready to hit the water due to various equipment and mental malfunctions. Lend a hand, put a good word in for HSO while your at it and good luck on the water! Bring an extra rope for the boat as you may well end up towing someone to the landing.

Tunrevir~

[mww24]

PierBridge. The world needs more people like you in it. I was having a heck of my time getting my motor started on my new boat. I had a 60 horse tiller that always fired up and i could throttle it if need be to get it going. My new boat however doesn't have a separate throttle control so i was having issues at the wheel. He simply walked up and asked if he could show me something. I agreed and he pulled the choke switch by the cowling of my motor, pumped the ball till firm. Then took the key turned it and pushed it in and out for 3 seconds and had that thing running.I didn't get a motor manual when i purchased the used rig so had no idea. That guy made my day and probably saved me a starter. never new it even had a choke switch.

[Shack]

Very cool write up Pier!

Thanks for sharing and this is what we as anglers need more of.

[swamptiger]

Great story. Best part of taking the time to do something like that is you get rewarded too...

[Rick]

Wow Gary,

Thank you for the awesome post.

I hope we all follow through and carry that kind of character to our next outing.

I plan on it.

[Borch]

Great story Pier!

I also try to help folks out too because it can be pretty rewarding especially with kids.

Way to go!

[Grum]

Now thats just awesomely uplifting, may the fish gods smile upon you always

[MuleShack]

Way to go the extra mile and help others out.

Thats probably a story the kid will be telling around a fire pit someday.