Thank you very much Monster Lake for a trip of a lifetime for an amazing guy who loved it more than we probably ever will know.
Let me first start of this story with a picture. The picture below is from my friend Richard Schwend holding his uncles big brown trout he just caught.
Richard came to me about a month ago with this great idea. He explained to me that his uncle Dave was an avid outdoors men but because of his condition with Parkinson’s disease was now unable to enjoy the things he used to. He spent his whole life working hard to get to the point where he could just hunt and fish with his time off and then this horrible disease decided to show up. Dave if I’m not mistaken was diagnosed with the disease 10 years ago.
So that is when the wheels starting turning for Richard and I. We started thinking of what we could do to make a day for Dave to remember forever, but we had some challenges to over come. Because of Parkinson’s, Dave has a very hard time walking and being active for any length of time. So little things we take for granted were going to be a challenge. Like Dave getting in and out of the boat. Dave can’t lift up his legs like you and I could. The casting would be nearly impossible to maintain for any length of time.
(Here is a brief overview of the disease: Parkinson’s disease affects the nerve cells in the brain that produce dopamine. Parkinson’s disease symptoms include muscle rigidity, tremors, and changes in speech and gait. After diagnosis, treatments can help relieve symptoms, but there is no cure.
Changes in walking (Gait). This commonly includes the inability of a person to swing their arms naturally while walking, taking short shuffling steps, “freezing spells” (difficulty starting to walk and difficulty stopping), and difficulty in maneuvering turns and corners.)
We weren’t going to let these challenges stop us and neither was Dave. We were going to face them head on and have a great day.
We woke up on the morning of the 31st and headed to Dave’s house at 5:30am. We knocked on the door and there was Dave, already awake, walking very very slowly with his walker getting everything ready. My heart felt so overwhelmed with joy for what this amazing man was going to enjoy today. We packed up his things and headed for my car with my Clacka Craft attached.
We were entertained by Dave the whole way to the lake. He was like a boy on Christmas Eve. Telling us stories of his past hunts, fishing trips and all his amazing times growing up. It was amazing seeing his energy and positive outlook on life.
We finally got to Monster lake around 8:00 am and were ready to start the day. I had already rigged 6 rods with all different set ups. Each set up had a sinking line of different inches per second with different lake flies. We loaded up the boat with everything we needed and then backed the boat into the lake. We helped Dave into the front of the boat with a lot less effort than we expected. It was like Dave was floating on a cloud and could conquer any obstacle at that moment.
The method we chose to fish the lake that day was to troll around with me paddling slowly, medium paced, and sometimes fast. Then when the fish would hit it would almost set it self. This method was perfect for Dave that way he could just hold on to the rod and wait for that feeling he has dreamt about for so long. Well let’s just say the fish god’s also loved what we were doing that day.
Bam!! After about two minutes of me rowing, Dave yelled “I have a hit” as his rod was bouncing up and down like crazy. The fish jumped three or four times, striped line like crazy, and by the end was ready to get his picture taken. The first fish of the day for Dave was in the boat and was an absolute beauty! Dave was thrilled and I’ll never forget the next thing he said. “I don’t know how long I can fish for, if they all fight like that, i’m tired.” but then after five minutes with out a hit he would say “I’m bored, I need another fish.”
After all these years he still had the lingo of a true fisherman. The tug is always the drug and you just need more and more of it.
When the day was over and after a lot of fish were caught by both Dave and Richard, it was time to go home. Dave warned us he might fall asleep because of his medicine he had to take because of the pain. Let’s just say Dave didn’t sleep a second and I don’t even think blinked. He was so excited and happy the whole way home talking all about his experience and how he couldn’t wait to do it again. This won’t be your last trip Dave! As long as Richard and I are by your side we will make sure you get out there again!
Once we dropped Dave off at his house, Richard and I were alone driving back to my place. Richard said “Matt, did you notice all of Dave’s smiles?” I said “Yah, he was smiling all the time”. Well, just so you know with Parkinson’s it is very hard for someone to show emotion. Most of the time they look like there not having fun or very emotionless. That really spoke to my heart because Dave was so full of smiles that day.
Dave you’re a very amazing person and I am honored you blessed me with your presence on my boat. You always have a seat in my boat and we will continue this adventure at another time in the near future! Thanks Richard for being such a great friend and having such an amazing heart for people and your family.
Click to view slideshow.So this adventure made me really think about things and the ability to help others with fishing. My outfitter and I donate a lot of guided trips to charities and also the refuge foundation. Those trips are amazing and I love them a lot because I know the money is going to something great. But this trip was something that opened my heart to something new. So here is the plan.
I would love to donate a trip once a month to someone in need, someone who could not normally afford a trip like this, someone who needs a day to just feel alive again. I will put a contact form below and please don’t hesitate to fill it out for you or someone you know for a trip like this. Myself with my outfitter and others will then choose someone once a month.
[contact-form]
