A tradition

[Bobby Bass]

With fishing season almost here I thought that I would pass on a tradition of mine. For about 20 years now at the start of each new fishing season no matter what size fish I catch I would release it for my father in law who died way to early in life. A few years after that one of my fishing partners passed away so naturaly the 2nd fish I catch gets released for him. I like to think they are still out there swimming around for my friends. Now I release the first four fish as two more friends have passed away over the years. I don't want this to sound like a depressing post but I just wanted to share this tradition with you and make sure you are safe on the water this season, I don't want to have to release any more fish for you!! have a good fishing season and don't be stupid out there..

[eyehead]

That's pretty cool Bobby Bass!!! Go get'em on opener

[Deitz Dittrich]

BB- I hope you catch a bunch of trophys this opener! May the memory of your friends live on.

Sounds like a great idea... Gramps, my first fish after opener will go back for you!

[Ole the Guide]

That's awesome! Thanks for sharing your story with us!

God Bless!

Ole

[Mark Christianson]

I agree!

Great post and story.

I'd like to add that with the passing of our fellow FM'er FOOT a few months ago, I will be thinking of him on opener, and will release my first fish of the season in his honor.

I never met FOOT, but he was a class act without question.

We emailed on several occasions and I was never able to hook up with him in person during his trips to the Battle Lake area.

I know FOOT will be at Lake Iwanttobethere in spirit. And I wish him a bountiful harvest.

[deepportage01]

very cool BB!!!

[Dan Thiem]

Well Bobby, that's the first time I have ever heard of that. Very cool idea. I think I will now have a tradition that will be handed down through the generations to come. Thanks for sharing!

[RK]

I do the same thing, for my grandfather, who taught me to fish. First walleye of the season always goes back.

Cheers,

RK

[Random guy]

The old boy that taught me to musky fish always smoked a cigar at the dock and then washed his face with lake water before we got started. Still do it every time I go to a lake for the first time of the year.

[DTro]

I just have to echo the grandfather thing. I can count on two hands the number of times my dad's been fishing, but I fished probably every day of every summer for a huge period of time with "grammpa". He passed away last fall and I'll think about him a lot this season.

Currently my basement is plastered with pics of him and fish large and small. I guarantee he was having a great time in every pic. Of course a picture of a mountie on a horse may have had a lot to do with it but he and his buddies sure had fun.

As much as a tradition the opener is, I suggest to all of you to seize the moment and make every day a joyful memory.

and for those of you that have things go "not as planned" this year....those times make for some of the greatest memories.