My Friends Last Fishing Trip

[solopaddler]

As Louis mentioned it was a bittersweet last couple of days.

Thursday Kareem was in such good spirits that we actually made tentative plans to fish

one of the nearby back lakes on Friday.

Another friend of mine who lives up there was going to deliver a light 14' aluminum to the

lake we wanted to fish so we'd have something stable for Kareem to fish out of.

Thursday evening when we arrived was picture perfect: sunny, nice temps, no wind or bugs.

We all sat out on the deck enjoying the view, sharing some laughs and a couple of drinks

(including Kareem). It was great.

A bit later Thursday evening me and Louis went out for a quick fish and managed

a couple of nice little eaters as Kareem wanted one last fish fry.

They were awesome!

Well, as Louis mentioned in his post our back lake trip planned for Friday moring never happened. When we awoke it was obvious that we had to get him home asap, Kareems pain had progressed to such a point that it was unbearable.

After quickly loading the boat, even though his pain was intense, he still wanted to troll a bit on the way back to the landing .

That's Kareem in the foreground trying to hook one last fish.

As Louis mentioned he actually hooked a pretty large pike. Got a nice bend in his rod

and a couple fast runs then unfortunately it bit him off. Still, he was pretty happy about

it.

Louis managed to hook a decent smallmouth, tried to hand the rod to Kareem to let him

reel it in, but he wouldn't (wasn't his fish ).

 

It was a tough, tough trip. No regrets though as even though it ended up like it did

I KNOW Kareem enjoyed it.

Just found out that he was rushed to emergency this morning....

don't think I'm going to see him again.

 

Sometimes life really sucks.

Edited September 22, 2007 by solopaddler

[Roy]

Thanks for the pics Mike. Nothing else for me to say......

[aniceguy]

Sorry to have had to break the news, when I spoke with him MIke he said he had a letter for us both

[smokinall4s]

Nice report and pictures. As for Kareem our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.

[fatherof3]

good report and pics,great that you guys did this for him

[Whopper]

Mike I have followed this story and good on you and aniceguy for taking a friend on what might be his last fishing trip here on earth. I really can't see a better last journey. I know you hurt now and you will miss your friend, but in days, weeks and even years to come everytime you think of Kareem it will bring a smile to your soul.

May Kareem find peace.

 

God Bless

 

 

Phil

Edited September 22, 2007 by Whopper

[danbo]

Chin up!........ I wish I had friends like you guys!

[Mike the Pike]

Mike good on you to take him out I must admit my eyes are moist from all that has happened nice to see Kareem willing to troll one more time despite his pain.God Bless thanks for sharing a touching moment.

 

MTP

[aniceguy]

I just downloaded some pics of my camera....

 

Kareem and Mike

 

[ccmtcanada]

Man...what a report. I think this kind of report personifies what this site is all about...fishing and friends.

 

I have a rather large lump in my throat as I type this. You guys are great friends to him....in his time of need. Just being with you guys out there I'm sure meant the world to him. His time may be short, but this trip will be remembered forever.

 

My heart goes out to you guys...these are hard times.

[bassmaster4]

good on you guys for trying to make the rest of his short life the best as possible, poor guy those are some cool pics too

Edited September 22, 2007 by bassmaster4

[mooseroo]

That's a very nice thing for you to do for a friend.

[tbayboy]

Well done guys, we all hope and wish we have friends like you when we're in need.

[oxcowboy]

this is one of the best reports i have ever read, way to go guys! this is what its all about. best wishes for your friend and his family.

 

jason

[Andrew]

As someone who rarely posts, I've been reading these threads and think its amazing that you were able (and Kareem) to get out one last time. I'm sure this trip made a huge impact on him that he will be forever grateful for. That being said so will you. I know it is extremely difficult to watch a friend suffer through a horrible disease but I think the fact that you were able to get him out and even take on that responsiblitiy of having him so far from home speaks wonders of your character. Although I was a lot younger when my buddy was battling cancer I really had a hard time seeing him at all and dealing with it so basically I didn't. I was lucky enough to see him the day before he passed, even as the shell of the person he used to be, his spirits were high to the end and I regretted the time I didn't spend with him. Life is too damn short and we need to spend all the time we can with friends and family!

 

You and Kareem are definately in my thoughts.

 

Andrew.

[snag]

Bitter sweet.

 

That last pic reveals a lot in the eyes.

[canadian_copper]

GREAT REPORT!! SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR FRIEND BUT HATS OFF TO YOU GUYS FOR GETTIN HIM OUT ONE MORE TIME!!!

[danc]

A very touching report Mike. Kareem is fortunate to have friends like you. In the meantime, we're all hoping for some kind of miracle.

[Moosebunk]

Choked up here Mike. God love you fellas. That's some report right there.

[aniceguy]

a small good news update perhaps

 

Kareem called me this morning and was talkative, and in fine spirits, so much so we talked about a trip to quinte soon....They adjusted his medicine and moved him to demerol instead of the perc's and it seemed to make the world of difference in terms of his mental clarity

[mcallister.grant]

If only the rest of the world could operate in that fashion that you guys do.... It would be a much better place!!

[dustink]

Wow....thanks for a great report....and my prayers are with you guys!

 

dk

[bigcreekdad]

don't know what to say....

 

you guys are true friends

[steve_paul]

wow, not alot I can say that others haven't.

 

Solo, you and Louis are amazing friends. Kareem, you are a brave man.

 

Thanks for sharing this with us guys, really makes you think.

[discophish]

True friends and there for each other. Moments like your fishing trip is what life is all about, and how much we should all value it. Thanks for sharing the warm hearths, and the importance of friendship. It is amazing how strong people are.