My Mom is slowly fading after we took care of her over the spring and  summer. She made it to 99, but now is in a hospice. Not only did we care for her, but we had an F2 tornado that caused my work schedule to go over 70 hrs. a week for  months.  The least I've fished  in my memory. I had to pass on huge stripers that were shallow and eating flies sight fished. My buddy kept sending me pics of 30-40 lb. fish for almost 2 weeks.  I'll probably miss salmon season, too.  I'm trying for a suicide run, even though I made reservations weeks ago, but it's out of my hands. I'm tired.  Good luck out there.

You build a huge store of good Karma.  We'll keep your mother and you in our prayers here.  Fishing is so totally unimportant in comparison to the life you are living now.

  Hang in there buddy if you need anything you got my number.

Tough times- hope all comes out as best as possible for you and your family.

It’s tuff to be a caregiver. On my fourth oldster now.

Best of luck to you.

Charlie I'm saddened to hear and my thoughts are with you and family.
The nice read is of time you took to help ease the transition , someone alone is a terrible thing.
Be well brother.

fishy, thoughts and prayers to you and your family.

Charlie,take care buddy and try not to over extend your self with the work.A couple days fishing might be what you need about now.

Thanks to all with much appreciation. Some of you I only know from posts, some I share memories and great, great times on the water with.  Social media is sometimes empty, and causes friction and dissent where none need be. This ain't one of those places.     In  the future, I'm hoping for a return  of steelhead in enough numbers to warrant  some  winter forays.  My work schedule is now normal and I'm due some time off.  This post reminded me of the past for some reason and some people I haven't fished with in far too long.  Don't take family for granted, nor your friends. They make life the blessing that it is.
     Jack, I know where to find you, and where you're staying. Hope to see you.  The miracle of modern technology might let me get away. Does anyone know the closest cell signal to the upper?  

Cell is hit or miss up there. At my house in Richland it was out in the backyard and good in the front.
Always had issues around Tressel but OK at Altmar bridge.