Thread: Happy New Year

Many, many folks share in the desire to get back out on the pier. We are all already limited in one way or another as to how much time we get to spend on the pier with our peers. Our time on Earth is limited, and time out there is even more limited by one factor or another. Distance, time off work, the need or desire to make or save money for other distractions, fear of the Covid, closures repairs, hurricanes, etc. For some, illness or infirmities in our body or of a cared for love one limits the time we can devote to our favorite common pursuit.


I feel blessed to have fished from the Gulf State Park Pier through 6 decades now. And IF I were unable to ever again share the rail with you, I would have nothing to complain about because of what I have already experienced. But so much of my knowledge (at least the 'seeds' of it) was freely given from individuals who took THEIR time to share THEIR knowledge and understanding.
If I even tried to recall their names and faces the list would be quite long, and memory would fail me. Sadly, that list of fallen mentors and comrades grows longer every year. But even though most of those folks no longer walk among us, they can live on through me; through US. In the same way they offered some of their time to touch our lives and shape our experiences while fishing the pier. WE can do that for others. THEY (and YOU) are the blessings I am thankful for. Even more than the limited time I get to spend on the pier, or the fish I have caught there with you.


I believe it's not what we GET from pier fishing that makes it so endearing and enduring. But what we GIVE back to it, that advances our understanding to the truest purpose for being there in the first place. Sharing our wisdom (knowledge and experience) with others is the greatest gift of all. And our legacy to those who will inevitably follow. That, and giving thanks for it all, to 'The Creator' of it all!


So I pray we all will be out there soon, to again do just that, for many, many years to come!

Pier#r ;-)

Well said David. What a great pier (and world) we'd have if more people shared that view.

The gift of giving and the blessing of empathy are truly remarkable. Thank you for all you've contributed.

Thank you Pier#r (DT) for putting this all in the right perspective. Thank you David Lea for your comment also. I had the pleasure of visiting the pier in February of 2018 while staying at a friend's place in Ft Morgan. There was something special about that first visit that has had me constantly thinking about it to this day. The friendly and helping people, the clean, fresh, warm air up above the Beach with a view of the world like none other. Who would of thought that at 73 I would be lucky enough to start out on a new life adventure. My first educational "awakening" was my 28 quart Igloo cooler with 3" hard wheels with 4 fishing poles attached via two double rod holders held in place with bungee cords probably wasn't going to last more than two trips out on the pier let along the beating I was taking pulling/bouncing it across the decking. (Hmmm...That's why those carts have the big tires). The next day it was over to J&M where I purchased a Fishin Mate Jr. (Hadn't met Todd yet) Got the Jr because there was no way a Sr was going to fit in a Jeep Wrangler for the trip home. My wife was ecstatic at this purchase as she rolled her eyes in disbelief. After all at this point we hadn't caught a fish from the pier! Next day I was a proud tourist rolling my new cart out onto the pier. My wife Sharon caught a Pompano and the new adventure was on. A kind gentleman from Athens, AL (MT) gave us one of his pomps and we had a meal for a King and Queen. Best tasting fish ever for us. Next day I met Ironman who let me know what junk in my tackle box to discard and what to keep. Back home I couldn't wait to upgrade the cart for the next trip and monkey with a lot of new tackle. I have been coming back twice a year since then. (no trips 2020) With the advice and help from many of the regulars I have met... Tom T, Mr Wire, Wade D, David L, Slim L, and a few more I have been able to catch a lot of different species of fish. Spanish, Redfish, Pompano, Sheepshead, a 24.8 lb Black Drum and my first King on trip number 3 Apr 2019 (big help from Ironman). Last year I had to figure out a way to get all this new fishin stuff down there and back home in something other than the Jeep. From this great pier adventure morphed the idea of a travel van with a garage for the fishin cart and accommodations for two. A mini mobile fishin home is ready to roll after a 1 1/2 year build. Can't wait to head down when the time is right to see you all and enjoy the beloved Pier Experience.
Happy New Year Everyone and Be Safe,
Prospector

Very touching, my good man.
Thank you.

Prospector 46---sometimes you just know you 're in the right place. That's how I felt on my first pier trip in 2012, also my first trip to J&M Tackle. I hope we all get to spend as much time as possible on the rebuilt pier, and make do with what will open soon. Good to hear from you.

You ain’t a kiddin Mr. Wire. I was hooked on my first trip to the pier three years ago. I thought “man,...I could fish here every day.” I couldn’t. But it sparked a plan. The wife loves the beach....not me, it’s a sun blistered grit box in my opinion,...but She loves it. I love to fish. So it’s a match made in heaven. (That was true also before this ascertation but I digress) And it’s a bonus that the boy (9yrs) loves to swim. Sooo,...the obviously logical thing to do was to buy a place down there,...right? I mean, what other choice is there? We closed on a condo on plantation road in fort Morgan last month. Whoo hoo,..looks like the War Eagle Wagon will be headed down more often haha. Apologies to y’all Tide fans...but it’s a family thing haha.
The surf fishing on Fort Morgan will keep me satisfied till the pier reopens, but what a great bunch of fun I’ve got to look forward to whenever we can get a trip in. Can’t wait.