Had a northwest Manitoba fishing trip set up for this summer with my grandson Jakob, son-in-law Ryan and his dad Larry. Ryan and Larry are pike fisherman to the bone, so is Jakob but he doesn't know it yet—his genes allow him no choice. I was excited, they're excited, even Steve Japp who runs the one-man Elbow Lake Lodge was excited. Steve's read my first two books and he feels an affinity with my fictitious Uncle Emil. Good man.
Anyhow, about two months ago Larry was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer and given a year to live. Sure not something anyone wants to hear. To date he's gone though surgery, chemo and radiation. He's done it well but Larry's always been that kind of man. If you've read my postings you're probably familiar with him and his days in the back seat of a canoe putting Ryan onto hordes of bass and pike.
If Larry hasn't given up hope and is sound of body, somehow or other we'll put another trip together. Won't be an expedition but there are several classic Minnesota border lakes that will have something available for us. Ryan's said he'd like to get one last shot at boat time with his dad. So would I.
I guess there's always another year till there isn't.
