Passing of the Sensei
Category: article
Jan 5th, 2013 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified Jan 5th, 2013 at 12:00 AM
Man, oh man do I prefer to write about funny characters, interesting anglers or current tournament events. I’m just plain no good at the emotional stuff, but today I felt compelled to drop a line to all of the fans of OutdoorsFIRST Media and let you know about the passing of my great fishing mentor and friend, Fred Hirsimaki.
Sure, you probably didn’t know Freddy, you probably don’t care about who he was, but he changed my life. He taught me how to fish.
At a time in my life when there was no positive male influence at home, and certainly no fishing happening, Fred came along. He was not an uncle or relative, but a friend. He saw how hard life was for me and my brother Erik, and he befriended us. I’m not sure why. He was 18 years older than I was, 16 years older than my brother was, but he stepped up and became something more than any other adult had been to either of us.
The impact that this man had on my life through the simple act of sharing his knowledge and love of fishing leaves me at a loss to describe its true impact. I am forever grateful. Without Fred, I would most likely never have taken the career path I chose and been an advocate for anglers and our rights throughout this country. Who knows what the fates would have brought me instead.
Anyway, whether it was fishing at Blackwell forest preserve for some ice-out crappies, chasing walleyes on the Boundary Waters, sticking big bass on Lake Okeechobee or, my personal favorite memory, drifting along and catching whatever was biting on Lake George and staying at Brekke’s Resort, Fred meant the world to me.
I hope and pray that you all pass on what this man did for my brother and me. Take the time to get someone fishing. Mentor and teach them. Become something much greater without ever knowing it. We all have it in us.
To heist a few words from one of my heroes, Jerry McKinnis, “Good times pass, but always last in a memory.” Thanks for all of the good times and memories, Fred. I love ya.