My dad passed away a number of years ago and I miss going fishing with him dearly.  The other day I got a chance to go fishing with someone else’s dad, as it turns out it was his last fishing trip here on earth.  I always loved fishing with my dad, and often remember him when I am alone on the water.  My recent honored passenger had his last fishing memories with his wife, son and daughter-in-law. I was privileged to be there to bear witness to this special time together.

My honored passenger was an 87 year old father.  He didn’t walk very fast, nor could he walk very far, so I pulled my 22′ pontoon boat as close to the shore along the dock as I could.  He exited the van by the end of the boat dock and aided by his wife, son and daughter-in-law, made his way to my boat’s edge.  The son had setup this trip for his dad to give him one more day on the water doing what he loved–fishing.

Dad couldn’t handle stepping over the gunnels on most boats, but my boat almost sits flush with the dock.  Stepping aboard to soft seating, plenty of space to move around and a couch for a more intimate journey was appealing to my client, this man’s son.  Dad stepped aboard the stable vessel and we were off to catch some fish.

I setup Dad with my personal rod and reel, the one I use when going out to be with nature and visit with my father, and it wasn’t long before my honored passenger was sharing his fishing tales with all aboard.   With his line in the water and the boat trolling along, dad reminisced about the days on the water with his old wooden car top boat.  One year his wife bought him a used outboard motor for Christmas. She also knew how much he loved fishing. When he wasn’t reeling in fish, we were all blessed by his joyful stories of fishing in his prime.  Dad loved feeling the sudden jerk of the line as a trout attacked the lure and we loved seeing the sparkle in his eye’s and joy in his heart.  If you haven’t guessed, this trip was much more than me taking a client to the best fishing spots, this trip was the last journey of a fisherman and I was privileged to be his guide.

When my honored guest departed the boat that day he thanked me for a great trip.  In his eyes, I saw a level a joy that I can not put into words. Fishing with Bear is much more than a business for me, my journey as a fishing guide is a way for me to pay tribute to my own father and to bless others with the excitement and joy of this wonderful sport.  Thanks dad!

Fishermen tell stories about the big one that got away, but that day will stay with me forever.

Ken “Bear” Cole