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| The Herman Lucerne Memorial Annual Fishing Tournament Committee organizes a free fishing day for sick children from Homestead Baptist Hospital every year one week prior to the tournament. This year was my second year participating along side 10 other local flats fishing guides. This year Captain Dave Sutton paired the guides with a child and a guardian (usually a parent) according to the individual needs of the child. Some guides use bigger (more stable) boats than others so naturally they would accommodate a child that needs that little extra attention and concern. That morning I was excited and I must admit a little nervous to meet my sick angler. I didn't have to wait very long for them to arrive because apparently my two fisherman for the day were excited and ready to catch some fish. They were the first one's to get there that morning. I will never forget it. It was a mother and the most precious little girl I had seen in quite a while. She barreled out of that car dressed like she was going to Disney World with the matching sunglasses and a smile that goes from ear to ear. So we loaded up on my 17' Dolphin Super Skiff and headed down the channel that leads into Biscayne Bay. For the first hour her mother and I chatted a little and laughed at the little girl when she would hold her arms out like she was flying as we headed to the first fishing spot. The only thing that kept going through my head was there couldn't possibly be anything wrong with this little girl. She has no visible physical scars and her personality is brighter than any other six year old little girl that I have ever seen. A little later in our adventure her mother began to tell me what her daughter had been through. Apparently she was diagnosed with Leukemia at age 3 and has had several Chemotherapy treatments. She lost all of her hair at one time and has had numerous surgeries. Right then I couldn't believe that this little girl had to go through such a horrific time in her life. I must admit the next 5 minutes or so were a little awkward because I really didn't have any experience with dealing with situations like this. Because that is what society has always taught us, when something is different from the norm we should treat them differently. Oh, was I ever so wrong. Just then her mother hooked up on the first fish and let out a holler as she reeled in the legal sized mangrove snapper. As I helped her release the fish her daughter said, "OK, Mommy its my turn. I'm gonna catch a big one!" And she did just that on the very next cast. She reeled and pulled with all her might. The rest of the day was pretty much the same. The mother daughter duo caught fish until we ran out of bait. As we headed back to the ramp I must admit I am a changed man. She was only six years old, but stronger than any adult I had ever met. She was a living example of courage and true happiness. Thank You Juliana for teaching me what is truly important, Captain Rich Smith |
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| Angling Adventures with Captain Rich Smith www.CaptainRichSmith.com Rich@CaptainRichSmith.Com (786) 299-4813 South Florida Flats Fishing – Florida Fishing - Miami – Florida Keys Tarpon Fishing Guide - Key Biscayne – South Florida Fly Fishing - Coral Gables – Florida Keys Backcountry Fishing Guide - Biscayne Bay – Florida Keys Flats Fishing Guide - Key Largo – South Florida Light Tackle Fishing - Islamorada – Florida Keys Flats Fishing - Flamingo - Everglades National Park - Florida Keys - Bonefish – Permit – Tarpon – Snook – Redfish – Grouper - Goliath Grouper – Cobia – Trout - Triple Tail - Fly-Fishing - Spin Tackle – Flyfishing - Shallow Water Fishing - Technical Poling for Game fish – Florida Charter Fishing – Miami Fly Fishing - Islamorada Backcountry Fishing – Flats Fishing – Tarpon Fishing – Bone Fishing – Miami Fly Fishing – Miami Backcountry Fishing – Flamingo Backcountry Fishing – Charter Fishing – Biscayne Bay Fishing |
