Many Thanks to Gone8to1248

[WalleyeWayne 137]

I would like to take a moment here to publicly (at least on the forum) give a big shout out and THANKS to Bernie Eagan (aka Gone8to1248) for what he has done for me and my son over the last 12 months. I only got seriously interested in bass fishing last fall after participating in the 2012 SFBC. I have a lot to learn and shortly after the tourney Bernie and I began kibitzing about the idiosyncacies of bass fishing in contrast to walleye fishing, of which I primarly did. Throughout the winter Bernie offered many suggestions, ideas, presentations, tackle, gear, etc, etc, etc that could probably help how we target bass fishing. Without getting into much detail, in January 2013 my son incurred a serious brain injury from a MVA in Cuba that landed him in hospital with a very long projected recovery period. Throughout the ordeal Bernie was a confidant for me as I struggled with Brett's accident and recovery process. As Brett's recovery continued to gain positive momentum, Bernie offered Brett a "Recovery Deal" to help bolster his spirits during those long days & nights of lying in a hospital bed, and to encourage him to achieve his goal of walking and subsequently fishing in the 2013 SSS. The incentive offer to Brett was a custom made rod with a bait casting reel. The deal - Brett had to show Bernie he could get in the boat, cast and retrieve the bait caster and then it was his. There were many motivational drivers for Brett to work hard in therapy, but this was one we talked about most nights when I visited him in the hospital. Our summer schedule was to meet Bernie (for the 1st time) on Kashabowie Lake on July 12th and he was going to take us out in his boat for some bass and walleye fishing......and of course to see if Brett had met his recovery goals to date. I'm proud to say Brett had recovered enough to be there and when Bernie unveiled the rod/reel combo, it was like Christmas again for a 12 yr old! We went out and Brett was able to use a bait caster for the first time ever, with some backlash, but he met his part of the deal, and the combo was his. Bernie also showed us some tackle options and gave me a "package" of gear that would give us many more options to consider trying for the SSS, and future bass tourny's. In summary, I knew a bit about Bernie from this site, and knew he had a big heart for helping people out, but I can say he was and continues to be a significant part of our lives in what he has done for me and Brett the last 12 months. THANK-YOU BERNIE!!!

[BIG SMOKE 22]

Hats off to Bernie, as well as you and Brett for being able to fish the tourney!! Great to hear the recovery is on track. Hearing stories like this makes me proud to be a part of the angling community. Good on you Bernie.

Bryan

[Canucker 1]

Awesome story. Kudos to Bernie.

[Guest FreshwaterFisherman]

Glad to hear your son is doing better! Well done Bernie! Props to you...

[Some Old Guy 968]

Glad to hear Brett is back fishing!

Bernie was, is and always a man that will step in and be the first to help out. Incredible man.

Roger

[Buck 120 32]

What a wonderful story. Hats off Bernie, you are a huge contributor to this site and humanity.

[Pro fisherman-Stud Muffin 420]

good story,

nice bernie!!!!

they even had 2 goods days during sss, watch out for this team!!

[Eyeguy 22]

^{The world could use a lot more Bernies.}

^{And Brett, best of luck on your recovery. Soon you'll be outfishing your dad.....maybe. I never did learn to outfish mine while crappie fishing, but blew past him with walleyes when I was about 15 or so. Maybe your new rod and reel will give you an advantage.}

[Guest Steelheadmagnet]

Way to go Bernie!

[Castnblast 86]

Hey Bernie, thanks for all you do!

Wayne, thoughts go toward Brett. Hoping he has a full recovery.

also, thanks to Roger...TBF bringing people together for all the right reasons!

[GC 54 31]

I am only allowed so many likes a day on here, but I have a huge LIKE for what Bernie has done for Brett, his family, as well as our fishing community. Hats off to you Bernie.

[levi64 72]

Well done Bernie, you truly have a huge heart, the world would be a better place with more people like you.

I hope Brett has a full and fast recovery.

[DJL66 5]

Bernie is truly a great guy. Always willing to help in any way. Need more people in this world like him.

Brett I hope you continue to improve over time. Its a long recovery but sounds like you are well on your way.

Don

[Guest Smack Um]

Nice story thanks for posting!

[ROCKWOOD BAIT 87]

I've never heard of bad thing said about Bernie. Always willing to help And extremely Generous. I can only hope to be as good a person when I get to be old like him. Way to go Bernie.

I hope that Brett has a full speedy recovery.

[Guest jrcw]

Great to hear. Tight lines to all three of you.

[Guest Ol Big Moose]

Good on ya Bernie. Hoping brett has a full and speedy recovery

[Gone8to1248 158]

I would like to thank you all for your humbling remarks. If anything I did helped Brett towards his recovery then I'm a happy camper! At sometime in our lives we all have the need to reach out and I was and still am privileged and honored that Wayne chose me to take into his confidence of what happened to Brett and share what was happening as time went along. Wayne,Brett and myself will be friends for a long time in my book.

As far as helping people that is just kind of a personal thing with me. To help bring a smile to a kids face or just help lift a small burden from someones shoulders, makes me happy. Sometimes we ALL seem to live in our own bubble and don't tend to see what is going on just around us where someone needs help and there is something we can do about it and we don't do anything about it. We just don't want to get involved! I guess each of us has to decide if we want to get involved and do anything or just stay in our bubble. Sometimes it maybe as small as passing on some fishing information to someone or even paying for their coffee that can make a difference. Many of you on here have helped a stranger maybe without even knowing it. Anything from loaning a stranger a propane tank to showing someone about brook trout fishing and where to go.

Go to you-tube and type in these these 4 letters WWYD and watch some of the clips and then give it some thought. Have a Happy Day. :)

[Guest FreshwaterFisherman]

Your a stand up guy. The world is a better place with you on it. Cheers Bernie. Your an inspiration.