Dad, I love you.

[Billy Gambler]

First I'd like to thank everyone who is posted through the years. My Dad read this page every morning, noon, and night. Everybody who posted about their catches, they're good days, and their bad days, my Dad read it all. Almost all of his 79 years and all of my 53,we spent fishing in the bay, along the beaches, and offshore. I spent as much time as I could fishing with my dad, it was never enough and I always wanted more. In the off seasons we would talk about fishing, and get ready for next season. Growing up I ate a lot of fish, I didn't like it so much then as I do now. We were the first ones out, and the last one is in. At the end of the day we were sore, we hurt, and we struggle up the ramp to the parking lot. We always knew, no matter what the weatherman said, we would be out again next Saturday. We were not church-going people, our church was the rising sun over the ocean, the beauty and spectacular Grace and power of that sunrise was felt every Saturday morning. Looking back at all the pictures, reliving the memories, I understand why regulations had to be put in place, we caught and kept and ate a lot of fish! Those of you who have fishing buddies, know how special relationship can be. My dad's best friends shared his love for fishing, any one lucky enough to fish with him know, he was the greatest fisherman out there. You guys will have a lot more big bass out there this year and when you catch it you can say thanks to me,my dad,my brother and soon, and my friend Steve cuz we didn't catch it and bring it home and eat it. What my dad gave me and all of the loves in my life, very few things compared 2 fishing, watching the sunrise, feeling the angry ocean beating the hell out of us, hearing that real sing and pulling the rod out of the rod holder and feeling the pull from the fish at the other end and watching that line run. Thank you Dad, I love you, looking forward to fishing with you again. Oh yeah guys, don't get to excited yet. Just in case you see the Gannet out there early n the morning before the sun is up, it might not be my dad, I'm just not ready to give up, fish, you might not be safe yet. You may know him from The Gambler the Anna Mae or the Gannet, his name is Bill Schmidt. The greatest man ever. I love you Dad, I miss you Dad.