Blood on the Pier in 86

Bud and his Mom owned cabins on Hamlin Lake. Our Family rented them religiously for many summers. My son was 12 and an avid fisherman. That day instead of driving the boat accross the lake and having breakfast,( you all should know where) we decided to go fishing off the Pier in Lake Michgian. My father and son headed down pier as the wife and I walked to town for a good meal. Upon return both fishermen were sitting on the 'rocks' with lines in the water. But that is when events turned gloomy. Chris got up to move as we approached. Slipped on the rocks. Cut a deep gash on the bottom of his chin. My Dad grabbed his flying fishing pole just in time to get the lure hook caught in his finger. As we walked back down the pier headed for the car and the Hospital my son professed he would never go fishing again.
At the hospital both "patients" were serviced and released on their own Recognizance. My Dad asked Chris " Since he was never going fishing again..would he be willing to give him all his tackle..fishing box..and rods."

That seemed to have saved the day. " No grandpa, you know I did not mean that!" We got a half smile from both wounded sportsmen and I could not stop snickering all the way back to N. Lakeshore Drive. I was awarded the lure for services rendered. But promised it was my turn to buy the ice cream cones at the House of Flavors that night.
Chris never uttered those words again. He was a catch and release fisherman since he could hold a pole in his hands.
I taught him to fish then he taught me how to flyfish for Bass and Pickeral on our lake in New Jersey. Today you can find that Marine Scientist with the scar on his chin here.
http://www.brightwellaquatics.com/

In the last two years he has customers and distributors all over the world and has 6 people gainfully employed with Health Insurance and expanding. I want him to move the business to Ludington..I will be pushing for that this summer when we go see him. I know just the place and Michigan needs that kind of Energy and Growth. He has blood on the Pier. I have this longing in my heart..wish me luck.