For the first 25 years of my life it was my step-dad. He not only had time to take me hunting and fishing but whenever he would introduce me to a friend of his he would say: and this is my SON. I was never his step-son. Not only did he teach me how to hunt and fish, he taught me how to be a man and most importantly a DAD... After he passed away I was lost without him for about 4 years. Since that time I have had so many positive influences I can't begin to name them all but there has been only one hero. God has truely blessed me.
A hero is not made by what he says but by what he does. It appears that you are making a great hero. I admire folks that can give of themselves the way you do. My hats off to you shipahoy41!
Birddog,
I pray that I may live to fish until my dying day. And when it comes to my last cast I then most humbly pray. When in the Lord's great landing net and peacefully asleep. That in His mercy I be judged, BIG ENOUGH TO KEEP.