Fishing with the elderly

B

buccaneer

Member
Looking for some advice here. What is too old to fish?

I have a good friend and neighbor. We share a dock on the Sunshine coast. Have fished together for years. I'm 40, friend is low 90's, and diehard like all of us. His health is not the greatest but he Loves to fish. He will be the first one at the dock, everytime. But here's the situation. Friend still wants to go out and I'm willing to take him, I want to take him, but when do you say no. I'm of the opinion of, on a good weather day, and I think I can put him on fish in say 1 hr, I want tot take the guy out.

Please, opinions would be greatly appreciated. What would you do?
 
buccaneer said:
Looking for some advice here. What is too old to fish?

I have a good friend and neighbor. We share a dock on the Sunshine coast. Have fished together for years. I'm 40, friend is low 90's, and diehard like all of us. His health is not the greatest but he Loves to fish. He will be the first one at the dock, everytime. But here's the situation. Friend still wants to go out and I'm willing to take him, I want to take him, but when do you say no. I'm of the opinion of, on a good weather day, and I think I can put him on fish in say 1 hr, I want tot take the guy out.

Please, opinions would be greatly appreciated. What would you do?
Click to expand...

90 and still got the urge...
Let him tell you when he wants to give it up
GOOD ON YOU AND THE NEIGHBOR!
If he drops dead in your boat playing a fish...just the way many of us want to go.
 
I'd take him for sure. I have a buddy who's 90 and I'd take him out.... On a calm day. He's a bit stumbly, even on land but this guy is as sharp mentally and switched on as any guy in his 50's.

I agree, let the guy decide when he can't do it anymore. You'll make his day taking him out and that always feels good. :-)
 
Good on you for taking him out, I just hope there is a nice fellow to take me out when Im in my 90s

Cheers to you man
 
To me, fishing is more than Tommy Thompson bs..."oh, guys are catching fish with anchovy at 120'". This site is Dear Abby Help me, I can't get a Spring, How deep, What are you using?

As far as I know, the fish are doing the same sh*t every year.

This thread is about a bit more than just the catching part.
 
I have a regular partner who is in the mid eighties.... but he loves every minute on the water and is a pleasure to fish with. (and he pays his way too). He is going to Hardy in a couple of weeks with HIS other fishing partner who is 93 to go fishing-- As far as I am concerned, if they can walk and reel, they are welcome.
 
fish till you drop ....lol

as long as you can get him in the boat and he still loves it
then keep him going ......

if health or medical issues start to get in the way then maybe its make a decision time
but either let his wife or family decide that .....

even if he can't hold a rod and reel a fish in, just being on the water is keeping him trucking

and congrats on taking him out .......
 
I will take the guy out tomorrow, depending on winds.

Thanks all for the advice. However, want to state Not an easy decision to make! Hence the asking for advice.
 
wildthing said:
fish till you drop ....lol

as long as you can get him in the boat and he still loves it
then keep him going ......

if health or medical issues start to get in the way then maybe its make a decision time
but either let his wife or family decide that .....

even if he can't hold a rod and reel a fish in, just being on the water is keeping him trucking

and congrats on taking him out .......
Click to expand...

Thanks man. Oh, He's more than willing to get in the boat! And I agree, it's keeping him truckin!
 
My dad is 96 living in victoria and loves nothing more than to get out on the water. Up until recently he could trailer and manage his own boat with his old fishing pals. I live up island and last couple years have tried to get down as often as possible to get him out on calm days and we do a north island road trip every year.

At this point unless it's very calm he does all the driving and sits down to crank in his catch. He still love trying new gear and testing out his homemade rigs to fool the fish.

To give you the point of view one of the children of one of these older gentlemen still getting out ID like to mention that he recently got a new neighbor a recent retiree from Alberta that had done a bunch if ice fishing and was keen to get after salmon. They plan on getting out regularly which was very exciting for my dad as he absolutely loves pink season and sounds like he'll be after them a bunch. I am also very excited and thankful this man showed up as he is quite capable of safely trailer ing and operating the boat and will allow my dad greater oppertunity to get out and enjoy as well as share his passion. I just hope he's not overfished for when I can make it down and enjoy some father son time on the water.

Good on you for taking the gentleman out and I'm sure he truly appreciates the oppertunity
 
Take him, you will never regret it, although it may be a while before you realize what a amazing gift you have given. I will add - I will take out elderly sooke fisherman in anyone knows of some wanting to head out (pm me). I would love to be taking my own dad out, but that was not meant to be.
 
Just have to keep an on them.......at that age their re-action time physically is often kinda of slow.....a sudden pitch or roll can have them tumbling.....

Some that I know have problems sitting for too long on hard seats etc......

Make 'em wear a PFD or lifejacket at all times...........they go in the water for any reason it could be a big issue.

Some don't do very well in prolonged heat on hot days.....
 
For safety's sake, if you're the kinda guy who pees over the side and you have an elderly guest, I've found it helpful to be the first to pee in a bucket so that when its old Mr.Smith's turn he doesn't feel coddled when you suggest the same for him...
Don't underestimate an older gents pride that may persuade him to say he's fine when really he's not, especially when you might be excited to chase a bite or get to another spot in the chop. Plenty of guides have seen an elderly guest arrive back at the barn with heat stroke, or with freezing blue lips in challenging weather as already mentioned.
 
Good on you for taking him.
I have an older fishing partner that I fish with regularly.

Talk it out with him a bit and make sure he lets you know if he has any discomfort. Guys tend to suck it up so that you won't be concerned or won't stop taking him.

I have found that having him sit in the back seat by the transom makes for a much more comfortable ride for him. No pounding.
 
Tugcapitan said:
... Plenty of guides have seen an elderly guest arrive back at the barn....with freezing blue lips in challenging weather as already mentioned.
Click to expand...
Saw that once with an elderly lady from Arizona she was dressed in cotton clothing which was pretty much soaked and it hit her hard-fresh clothes, a warm fire and some hot chocolate & a nap saved the day.
 
Right on! Thanks for your opinions and advice. Today was too windy but will have the guy out asap.

He managed to land a 15 last year but I sure was anxious when it spun around heading for the boat. He can't reel so fast:)
 
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