Angler Stories: Ron
This is the start of a new thing, we are going to start telling the stories of our memorable trips. I think this will be fun and hell, these are the people that support me. They deserve the spotlight.
It was a sticky hot afternoon in August, when I picked up Ron at the McDonalds in Georgetown. We are headed south to chase tailing redfish, the 20 minute car ride was filled with conversation of which you think old friends would have. We spoke of life, family and of course fishing. As we pull down the street of a sleepy lowcountry town, I could see Ron’s eyes light up. Amazed at this little gem you can blink and pass on the highway.
We back the trailer down a boat ramp and push off. After a boat ride to nowhere, we are secluded from the world. Ron an avid birder is in absolute heaven. Bald eagles, green herons, oyster catchers, the whole spread. As the tide fills in, in the southern sky I notice darkness. The radar shows it holding the mainland, so Ron and I agree to hold tight. As the storm creeps in, it’s turning more and more east. Our direction.
Next thing I know, it’s blowing 40 kts. I stake the boat off in the marsh and we made our way up to the lighthouse. Thinking this was a bummer at first we started to explore. Taking solace in the threshold of the lighthouse, we took a step back in time, and saw life from the lighthouse keepers eye during a squall. Not a person in earshot but us. We walked some trails as the storm passed and although this wasn’t the plan, it was memorable.
As we make our way back to the skiff, the wind dies and a peek of sun shines through the clouds. I notice a flat close to the skiff has good water, so I pull a rod out from under the gunnel. I walk in front of Ron and a dozen steps in,I see it. A blue tail dancing on the flat, saying this fish was happy was an understatement. I look back at Ron, “You see it???” He nods and drops the 20 foot cast on the fish. All I see is a blow out all I can think is “Dammit, lined!” But I look back and Ron is tight. This fish must have ate it out of the sky. Unreal. Both oozing with excitement, I wrap my hand around a redfish tail, and hand it to Ron with a huge smile. “Here you go Ron, one cast one fish.” What a joy.
The boat ride back was pleasant and you would have never known the storm even past through. We laugh, we high fived, we made it happen. The best days do not always start with gold, sometimes you have to get knocked down to come out on top.
-Johnny
