hanging it up

After 50 years of fishing, in about 40 states, and the gulf, the time has come! the legs are giving out, and maybe its time for a 76 year old guy to realize he aint what he was. the danger of falls is there, the other things that come with old age should be considered. The kids worry about me fishing alone, and i guess I'm so srnery to have a reliable partner anymore.I'll still try some shore fishing, and maybe a guided trip or two where I'll sit back and fish. Dosn't mean I'm going away from annoying some of you guys. Hey if anyone feels some pity for a codger who fishes barren dale or cumberland, I' mwilling to go half on fuel and stuff.

Dang, that's too bad. I can understand what you're saying. I'm still in good health and actually better now than I was a few years ago but I can relate to your worries. Some of us are only one stupid fall away from a disaster.

Knute (The Heathen) ,my main fishing partner, has terrible balance now and I'm always afraid he might fall out of my boat. He had knee surgery two years ago and sometimes his ankle locks up. I just let him climb into my boat in the parking lot and allow him to start it while I back down the ramp and perform the truck-trailer parking duty.

I'd be glad to ride you around the lake in search of fish. You said you got smart late which means you are smart, right? Maybe I could earn something. Pm me sometime.

Gorski, sorry to read this, bot totally understand. Almost shad a tear when I saw you had posted your boat for sale, but again I understand, thinking I'll be in the same situation in a few years. You will always be welcome in my boat, just that I don't get to Dale that often, but when I do, I'll give you a PM.

The Best to you, Lefty, and your families for the Holidays.
:)

I just turned 67 and can relate to what you are speaking of... When I'm fishing from my tracker, I am a bit unstable moving around in the thing... I feel a good bit more secure on the pontoon but it is a good bit more hassle launching and loading and would probably be way too much trouble loading it by myself but other than that I would use it every time I went out... It would probably not be the best boat for chasing bass but for crappie fishing it is way more relaxing than the tracker and almost as productive... I like the pontoon but like fishing by myself also so I'm kind of caught in the middle... Just can't imagine having to give up fishing but I guess down the road were all going to have to face that.... Just want to add, I have a disabled daughter who uses one of the power chairs and I have taken her out with me on the pontoon and another fella I know who likes to fish but needs a walker to get around and he has went with me on the pontoon so maybe all you need is a fishing bud who enjoys your company and is willing to do the grunt work... wish you the best.

man I know what your saying, but as we get more experienced " not older " we just need to slow down. anyone at any age can fall and get hurt while fishing alone. I to fish alone most of the time. and I like fishing at night and that makes it more of a Danger. I wish you the best, someone living close by, could learn a lot from a guy such as you.