The Music man, The fisherman.

Here is a man that once caught a huge sturgeon and held it like a baby. Then with one swift lash of its tail, it was gone before his friends could snap the picture. This is what happens when you mix to many drinks when you are out fishing. LOL. He started as an entertainer, under age in the nightclubs in the late 50's and into the 60's. One of his bands being called Ronnie and the Nitecaps. At the end of his career in the mid 70's the band was a two man show, simply called Ronnie and Marty. Marty was one of the best drummers I have ever seen, and this man was the best keyboard player I have ever seen. If you or maybe your parents are old enough and went out to the nightclubs back in the day anywhere in Ontario or Quebec, you may remember watching these two guys put on an outstanding Rock & Roll show. We didn't see him much because the band seemed to be always on the road. Sometimes we would travel with the band during summer break from school. But when he did come home, or when we were on the road, that is when I learned how to fish at a very young age. The guys were all great anglers because when the band was on the road all they did was sing all night and fish all day. And the drinking, well that was all the time. He finally gave up the bottle and traveled down a much safer path. Started a new career still singing all over from city to city, but with a much better message. I was very lucky at such a young age to see some of the most beautiful lakes and rivers in northern Ontario and Quebec. Also lucky to have some of the best anglers teach me not just how to fish. But teach me about Mother Nature and how to respect the land and the animals and the fish like their ancestors have done for thousands of years. I hated going back to school in the fall and ran away a few times just to fish. As the decades rolled on he could not fish as much because of health reasons, all that old lifestyle was catching up to him. Even though the drinking and everything else had stopped, its' hard to fix your old mistakes. The last few years he has found much comfort in looking at my fishing pictures and listening to my fishing tales. As well, I have shown him many of the Fishing Forum members great pictures and shared some of your stories and adventures with him. If you have not guessed who this man is yet, it's my father. My dad just turned 85 back in the fall. Sadly he went to heaven on of all days, Friday the 13th last week. That's one of my favourite days because it was time to ride with my brothers on our Harley's to Dover. Rain or shine, all day and through the night. Just like fishing I loved to ride ever since I was a too young to reach the ground with my feet.

I don't ride my Harley's anymore, but I will never stop fishing.

This is where it started, this is where it will finish. Thanks dad, rest in peace. Say hi to mom for me in heaven.

I’m very sorry for your loss Jamie. It sounds like you have a lot of great memories that you’ll always be able to cherish.

Sorry for your loss.

Sorry to hear. My sincerest condolences to you and your family.

Hello sir,

Very sorry for you loss. Great story!

~J.

great story. RIP

Thank you so much Jay. Yes a great many memories, some good, some bad. That's why I posted this. We live in a world of beauty and wonders for all to share. But not everyone lives in a perfect happy world. There are many things wrong out there and none of us are immune to the challenges and stresses of life. When I was a child there was no comprehension of what addiction was. But my mother, sister, myself and the rest of the family and friends saw it first hand and what it was doing to the family. We were lucky that he got help from church and multiple other people and remained sober for the rest of his life. If by chance someone is reading this and this topic hits close to home, call someone. I am no expert but there are plenty of people out there that are. Never too late to change and get in better physical and mental shape. My father was lucky to live to 85 years old. The abuse he put himself through, should have ended his life decades ago.

Thank you Kushog, Chevy, skyguy/J, sabmgb, I do appreciate the thoughts. Great people on the Fishing Forum. A person could ask for almost anything and get some good advice, or just a thoughtful comment.

Sorry for your loss.

The memories will last forever, just as my memories with my dad do...

A very nice heartfelt story. God Bless.

I am very sorry for your loss Jamie.

My sincerest condolences to you and your family.

Jaime, I send you condolences on the passing of your father.

Like yourself I got my interest in fishing and learned how to fish from my father.

I'm now 82 and he has been gone 20 years.

Take care.

SDC (Ralph)

Attila, Jerry and Ralph. Thank you very much for your thoughts. Many people on here that must have started fishing with a parent or good friend. Memories are the recipe for the best fishing stories.

Jeez Jamie.....my sincere condolences on the passing of your Father. Find peace in your memories of fishing with him. I sometimes go and hide there with a smile on my face thinking of fishing with my dad.

Arnie