Want to wish everyone a Happy New Year sure hope 2021 turns out better than 2020!
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Want to wish everyone a Happy New Year sure hope 2021 turns out better than 2020!
Same to you Robert and all others.....mine would be slightly happier if the pier had a opening future date, so reservations could be made, without having to go east .... but soon that decision will have to be made ,, just hate not knowing and moving once again
I hate to say it but if the State doesn't even have a plan yet it may be years until we get back on the Octi.
They sure don't seem to be very motivated. It seems reasonable that they would at least be conducting a study. Maybe they have to wait for the Legislature to commit funds - if so, you are probably right about it being years. That's a real bummer for me at the age of 74. That pier was the main reason I moved here.Quote:
Originally Posted by Robert(Tato)Piteo
It's the reason we bought our house there and I'm 70 and we have already lost too many regulars in the past few years. Just would like to know what the plan is so we can make some plans for the future.
I'm in the same condition as Robert and frednic. I already live here, but I'm 75 and don't have that many good fishing years left. Sure would like to know if I can expect to get back on the pier while I can still do it by myself.
Another Happy New Year to everyone and a final GOOD BYE to 2020. I will be 71 by the time I get on the pier again, but I hope and pray that all of us get to enjoy many more trips out. Be safe all.
Happy New Year to one and all! I really can't lament the passing of 2020 to 2021 because as late as last evening my dearly beloved lost a crown on a smile visible tooth during dinner that will surely be expensive. Of course it was made worse by my recommendation for her to audition for Hee Haw.
Let us all hope and pray for a speedy remedy to the pier and good health to each and every one of you.
Tight Lines!
I believe there would be a few to help you get out if and when needed..... so please don't give up if you still have the desire .....just wish I was closer to offer that myself, more then a couple visits a yearQuote:
Originally Posted by Haywire
77 for me and I am still hoping.
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 ;-)
https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net...27&oe=6014C1EF
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.