Ron’s Fishing Tips and Stories: Aside from Story Telling, Fishermen are Good Guys

Today I want to talk about people who fish. Two friends of mine, Billy and Bobby Murray, have a TV show called People Who Fish. In my 64 years of bass fishing, I have met thousands and thousands of fishermen all over the hemisphere. From Canada all the way to South America with a couple years in Cuba.

I don’t know why, but I can testify that fishermen are some of the finest people on the face of the earth. Their biggest flaw is stretching the truth about their catches. It doesn’t matter what nationality they are, fishermen all seem to be ready to help each other. They’re eager to talk, except about where to find their secret fishing spot.

I have been very fortunate in my life to have met so many fine people who came bass fishing with us in the past 38 years. Unfortunately, many have already passed on over the years. But most had a pretty good life, I think because of their love of fishing. I don’t know what it is, but fishing has a way to make people forget about the trials and tribulations of everyday life. In fishing, there’s a sense of tranquility and peaceful calm that many other sports or hobbies don’t offer. Golf is a great game, but many golfers come home frustrated with their game that day. Hunters also have a different adrenaline rush that is definitely not calming.

There used to be a saying that went something like “a day spent fishing extends a person’s life by a day.” I have no reason to doubt that saying. I also have seen many remarkable things regarding people who fish. I had a call several years ago from a man in Arizona who wanted to go fishing with us in Mexico. I believe he was with two friends. I said “great!” But then he told me he was in a wheelchair and didn’t want to be a problem or a burden. His name is Dick Worrell and over the years he has become a friend of mine. I told Dick that I admired him very much and would do everything possible to make his trip a success. I not only told him he would not be a problem but added that it would be our honor to have him. I think the world of him to this day.

Back in March our company bookkeeper lost her dad, whom I had never met. Virginia and I went to the funeral. His name was Cecil Downey and around the casket were pictures of him holding fish, some of bass, others of catfish and perch. I thought how remarkable Mr. Downey was in his life to continue to fish after losing both his legs while fighting the Japanese on Iwo Jima — a world war hero whose favorite hobby was fishing. The loss of both legs at the hip didn’t stop him. He died at 83 and was planning a fishing trip with his new rubber raft at the time of his death. I sat there listing to different ones talk about him and everyone talked about HIS LOVE OF FISHING. I couldn’t help but shed a few tears and wished to goodness I had got to talk with him before he passed away.

I would advise everyone who likes to fish, don’t make excuses for not being able to go fishing for this reason or the other. Take time to go fishing and extend your life a few days. Continue to be the best of the best!

Good luck with your fishing and remember to wear that lifejacket.