It’s Bigger than Carp
Until thirteen month’s ago, many of you had never even
thought about fishing. If you did, you certainly didn’t think you’d ever find
yourselves in a Carp Tournament. The ALVA D didn’t even exist. DRCFA was simply five
out of twenty six letters in the alphabet. E mail was made up of a bunch of forward’s
that circle the globe again and again and again.
Many of us have made new friends. We are now talking to other
guys at church instead of just nodding or barely acknowledging them. We have expanded our
circle of friends to people in other states and I dare say even in other countries. Our
stories and pictures have brightened the lonely days of some of our shut-in friends.
I’ve even been told that our stories helped one fella “get through the
winter”. Some of you have fished with your son for the first time or for the first
time in quite a while. You have seen the grins and the excitement when the reel’s
drag screams almost as loud as your boy is screaming. Others have sat in the ALVA D and
possibly reflected on simpler times in your life and wondered where have all the years
gone?
A big part of this thing started as I fished with ALVA D
LaFavor on the St. Johns River in Jacksonville, Fla when I was just a lad. When I was 13,
Daddy was already 64 yrs old. His word was his bond. His integrity was second to none. His
love for fishing was second only to spinning yarns and telling tales. As we approach
Father’s Day on Sunday I wonder what kind of legacy are we leaving our sons? As
important as my dad’s love for fishing was, he was not a spiritual man. I never saw
him read a Bible. I never heard him pray. Only by God’s grace did he finally accept
God’s invitation and was saved at the age of 76. I am 50 and if ALVA D were alive
today he would be 101 years old. When our son’s are 50 what will they remember about
us?
God is so gracious and He loves us so much. Daddy died when I
was 24. My heavenly Father has placed men in my life to partially fill that void. He has
shown me things through their example and His Word that have changed my life forever.
Father’s Day is Sunday. If your dad is living go tell him you love him. He is waiting
for you to call or come by. Your Heavenly Father is also patiently waiting for you to come
to Him. Got questions? Visit your local church this Sunday. After all, it is Father’s
Day.
You Wynn some, you lose some
Butterbean and his son Jason “I now love Carpin”
Wynn spent the bulk of the day today together aboard the ALVA D. I prayed that the weather
would hold and God gave them a great morning. 8 Carp were caught with Jason being
responsible for 7 of them. His best was 3 lbs, 6 ozs which tied him with Dennis “they
call me the fireman” Brown for fourth place. According to Bean’s testimony, at
least two were lost that could have easily been confused with the Loch Ness monster. I
know they had a great time today. It’s amazing what a 50 cent can of corn and a
Golden Ghost will do for a Dad and his son.
Until next time, Keep on Carpin !
Captain Horace
Current Standings
(As of 6/13/03)
(Please note that the DRCFA will be awarding prizes to the top 5 finishers after
the Thanksgiving Day cut-off date.)
1.Charlie Goff -5 lbs, 2 ozs 4/11/03 (Current Carp King)
2. Chris Settle -4 lbs, 0 ozs 6/10/03
3. (Tied for third place)
Sam Marlow-3 lbs, 11 ozs 4/12/03
Brent Wolf-3 lbs, 11 ozs 5/10/03
4. Dennis Brown-3 lbs, 6 ozs 4/26/03
5. (Tied for fifth place)
Ken Higginbotham-3 lbs, 0 ozs 3/15/03
Bryan Harrell- 3 lbs, 0 ozs 4/19/03
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