Thinking of John

[Crafty Angler]

Not too long ago I found myself thinking that we're going to have the first anniversary of John Habs loss coming up. For some reason it still doesn't seem possible to me.

I was on the rocks at my favorite UDL almost a month ago on a completely moonless night slinging eels and trying to break a dry spell for me. I had even taken the Habs hat that John gave me off of the rack in my fishing room for a little extra karma. I got my personal best standing under that hat.

Other than a complete and utter lack of fish, it sure was a beautiful night. Nothing but the sound of the bell buoys and the hooters, no moon, just one bright star, Venus maybe, 45 degrees off the horizon.

I was frustrated and sat down for a smoke and thought about the last time I fished with John and it was at that very spot. There was a huge swell running that day in the fall and he was casting into the wind on a high perch that's rarely awash and the white water was rushing all around the rock, sometimes well up past his knees. Wish I had had a camera with me now, but that image of him will always stick in my mind.

Anyway, I got to thinking - there's a memorial out on the Ocean Drive originally called the Fisherman's Memorial, now called the Mariner's Memorial at Brenton Point State Park. It's really a moving spot on a small rise overlooking Brenton Reef with stones inscribed with the names of loved ones who were lost at sea as well as those who have passed on who had a special connection with it. I thought maybe if there was some interest maybe we all could get together and chip in for a marker in John's memory. I think it would be a nice way to remember him in a beautiful spot. The centerpiece of the memorial is a piece of granite that has a bronze plaque affixed to it with the image of another friend who was lost at sea holding a 52# bass.

Anyway, I know it's the middle of season and free time is precious but it was just a thought I had. Don't know if there's any interest in it or not but I'd be happy to donate a couple of old Angler's Art prints to help get the ball rolling if there is.

I know the guy who set the memorial up and could get the wheels in motion. It may take a while to get everything together but at least it would be a first step towards a permanent tribute to him.

Let me know if anyone is interested - I'll do what I can in terms of time and resources.