Old surfcaster
 

So I got a call Monday night from a guy I use to fish with back in the 90s. His name is Chet Tomkins and he lives in West Hartford. One of the old guard to say the least. Last fished with him in 2000 and he and his wife had some health issues so they went into an assisted living facility.

Anyway, it was Chet and I had not heard from him since 2000. He's now 83 and in poor health. He asked me to come down as he is giving me all his surf equipment as he can't fish and I am someone he spent a lot of time with in the surf and was always kind to him.

I want to donate some of his equipment to a worth cause but I'm not sure how I should do this.

I need suggestions, please. No wise ass comments like "give it to me", I am serious. I have not seen his stuff yet but I remember he had some really old plugs and rods from Murats and reels from Crack and Luxor.

Help me raise some money for a worth cause.

Piemma,

There are a couple teach a kid to fish programs around that could be the direction your looking for.

But if raising money is the direction you want to go in Ive always been a fan of the jimmy fund program. Auction the items on here and donate the finds.

Just suggestions.

Wow, your story brings tears to my eyes, good that you meant that much to him.

Perhaps sell it for what you can get for it and donate the money in his name to something?

Thanks Guys. I'll send John R a PM and see what he thinks.

Yup.
Sell or auction plugs etc.. here

If there are collectible, bigger ticket stuff, run a raffle for those items.

Parcel the stuff out over time for various auctions to worthy causes when you see some you like.

Paul, that is very thoughtful of you.

Keep it and fish with it, isn't that what he wanted you to do with it ?

Then, when you are an old surfcaster, pass it on to someone younger than you that you liked to fish with.

Yeah, striprman has a good point, but if the stuff could not/would not get used, then . . .

Consider donating to the RISAA Surfcasting committee. Bob Moeller is the chair. At the RISAA Saltwater Fishing Show this year we did a used equipment sale for MS. 100% of proceeds went to MS society. Last years donations, by generous surfcasters, totaled $6,440. PM me if you want Bob's #.

The other advantage to doing it out over time to various causes is that you can send Chet letters every once in a while with copies of the posts/articles showing him how good some of his equip. is doing. It might give him a good feeling in his old age.

wow. this does give me pause. i do believe that i may have to revise my will.
i have no idea what their monetary status is, if they do need the money, e-bay the stuff. the expensive should go well, no matter what the economy. the other will go also if in suitable lots. pm. me if you want . i've sold 1700 things on e-bay.

Very commendable Piemma! Not many would go your route...

:kewl:

I agree!

If there are things that means a lot to you in with the gear, you should keep and use them, as that's probably what Chet wants you to do. Take the rest and either auction it as was mentioned above, or sell it and donate the money to a cause you feel strongly about. Whatever you decide to do, it will be something you'll be able to feel good about.

I believe this is what I will do. I will put things up on auction, if John will allow, and donate the money in the name of SB.COM todifferent charities. Jimmy Fund, MS, the take a kid fishing program at RISSA.

So I will get to West Hartford in the next week and see Chet. I will take what he has and sort through it. I will keep some things that are dear to me and would remind me of him.

For those of you who have suggested that I just fish with the equipment, I answer as follows:

When I developed cancer 4 years ago I got out of the surf and bought a boat. I kept just enough surf stuff so I do go a few times in late fall with Bryan (RI Rockhound) and Joe P and Nebe. It would be a waste for me to keep a bunch of equipment that would never get used.

Chet is a great guy and would want his equipment used. He actually is on the cover of OTW in a 1999 issue. His back is to the camera but it's Chet. Dark green Grunden parker. Old rubber waders and an old leather belt with a leather rod holder. Standing in the surf getting hit by a wave at Deep Hole. He is a small man about 5' 3". I saw him get knocked down 3 times at the mouth of the River fighting a decent fish and never stopped. He landed it and let it go.

Ditto. Great idea also.

Thanks for all the input guys.

Paul,

Contact Roy Leyva he works with kids at the fishing academy, Im sure they can put some of the stuff to good use.

you could donate the gear to the fishing academy , it is a non proit charity that takes kids from the city out fishing i can get you the phone number if you like , i have donated some of my extra gear to them .

yes, please send me his number.

Don't forget Paul a great tax right off, for all the money donated

Knowing Paul Bob, I I don't think he gives a %$%$%$%$.
BUT....

Paul, if Chet need$ the assistance, you could donate it in his name so he gets the write off... course knowing you, you probably thought of that as well...

Some worthy suggestions here folks. Paul, give a hat tip to your friend Chet. Whatever you think is best I'll support you.

To get the tax write-off he would have to declare the fishing gear as income.

Thanks to everyone for contributing to this thread. I am going to have a call with John R today and we will decide the best way to do this on the Board. As the money comes in, I will allocate dollars to different charities. I will also give some of the equipment to the fishing academy.

If one of the moderators want to close this thread that's fine as I have plenty of dirctions to go.

Stand by as I need to go to West hartford next week and see what Chet has and then get the stuff back to RI and sorted.

I second this.

Just don't put it off too long, God works in mysterious ways....I would think more importantly to Chet.....is to see and chat with you in person one last time. One never knows when their number is up. Get over to Hartford to see your friend, the rest will work itself out.

thinking auction off and give money to charities in your friends name.from list looks like old plugs and reels not kind of thing to donate to kids programs .auction working with john r or any other groups way to go.went you visit your great friend wish him well and mention to him what your planning to do in his name.people who buy and fish his items will always remember you and chet.