I’m real sad hearing this I to have begun selling off hunting stuff. Camo coats shells guns. Sold my wheeler and trailer I’m ? sad for that great memories . Wife wants camp trailer to go but not yet…
I’m greatful for John he’s been getting me out fishing on his yacht.
Ok people don’t miss out on YouTubes offer. Lots more than just jigs..
Well I’m devastated
I fear I’m not far behind you, Pat. Had to give up golf, and now it’s getting harder and harder to manage my boat. Another year, maybe two.
You remain a legend, Pat. No other description fits.
Pat, your contributions here & on the water have rewarded you well enriching the folks surrounding you with advice and friendship, Thank You. I’m just 10yrs behind you but know of the physical issues with knees. I was told I needed new knees 15yrs ago but opted to hold off so I could get thru retirement first. Have done the injections yearly for a while which has help extend for more usage, but now I’m at the point for new knees. Those long walks up steep boat ramps are a constant reminder of the pain. I quit hunting 14yrs ago, however refusing to throw in the towel on fishing. Its getting time to become a bionic man. 
Pat, welcome to my world buddy. I sold my yacht last month and plan to go smaller at the boat show next year. It was becoming more and more difficult to handle the ThunderJet solo. Looking at buying a Lund 1675 Adventure Sport. And hey, there will always be room on it for you younger folks to tag along.
As to being bionic, I had both rotator cuffs repaired (2010; Rt & 2011; Lt), a total knee replacement (2015), and a CABG X 5 (2023).
I’ll be getting a total shoulder replacement (Rt) on February 5, 2025 so the coming ice season will be shorter for me.
I am leaning towards doing less duck hunting. The marsh mud is getting harder to negotiate without a dog to retrieve my birds.
Ice fishing is still doable with the help of my snowdog, but walk on trips are definitely not an option anymore. When the duck hunting and ice fishing lose their appeal, I’ll become a snowbird and spends winters in the deep south - Arizona, Texas, and Florida seem about right.
PS: I PROMISE to never leave you standing on the ramp - again! ?
Wow, this is a sad surprise. I can imagine how you feel. Thank you, Pat, for your kindness, willingness to share your expertise and tips to anyone and everyone. You sir are a total legend of this forum.
We never fished together but I did meet you on the boat ramp at Rockport last year and I hope to change that by inviting you to share a trip or two in my boat. Your choice of destinations. I for one will miss your ‘Float tube reports’. I have always enjoyed reading them and gaining knowledge from them. I will be contacting you for your address as I plan on purchasing some of your famous ‘Fligs’.
Thank You ‘TubeDude’. I hope you enjoy your ‘Semi-Retirement’. Best wishes and good health going forward.
Thanks for the kindly words and good wishes. Hope to still get in some quality fishing before I go to that great pond on the other side. It is comfy-warming to know that my “downloads” have been welcomed and have helped a few other folks. BFT has been a big part of my existence…both fishing and friendships…for over 20 years now. It has gone through a lot of changes…good and bad. But it has still been a good “home” to me. Hope to still see a lot of my fishing friends in whatever days, months or years I have left.
And, as far as my fellow “senior anglers” are concerned, I DO definitely share your “pains”…and aches, and other infirmities. They say that growing old ain’t for sissies. Damn straight. And considering “the alternative”, I think I’ll stick with growing old. As DuBob says…I’ll keep going as hard as I can for as long as I can.
I’m sure there will be a lot of fish breathing a sigh of relief when they get the news tubedude. You have certainty been a valuable asset to this forum and fisherpeople everywhere. Rocky got it right, you are and always be a legend!
Sorry to hear about this. Father Time remains undefeated.
Thank you for all you have contributed to the world of float tube angling and fishing in general. Your innovation and wisdom in the field will extend far past your “retirement”. Let me know if there is something I could do for you.
I too appreciate all you’ve done and continue to do. Many thanks! I’ll send up a prayer for better health to find your path.
I’ve been on BFT for many years, your reports have always been top notch, fun, and consistent. Hope we still get some even without your regular “tubing.” It may be the end of an era, but I hope you’ll still post on here!
Bummer, this is not good news. Father Time has got a few good licks in on my old carcass, too. Guess it is inevitable when the years start to pile up. You need to keep goin’ at least a few more years so you can attain true Gizzerhood… Those of us who are pre-Pearl Harbor are true Gizzers… aahhh, I remember it well. The ravages of time have got me wounded but I’m still looking forward to at least one more year in pursuit of that 36-inch catfish.
I treasure the few times we fished together and I hope you benefitted from my tutoring on the intricacies of ketchin’ big kitties. I still have several of your write-ups and CDs that I have collected over the years. Always good to review them during periods of slow fishin’.
I wish you the best Pat. Keep your fingers nimble, at least one good eye, and a well lubbed 'puter to keep the “blue posts” coming.
Pat, dang I didn’t want to hear that news, but hopefully you’ll still join us in the boat… I’ve been wanting to join you on the perch search at Willard for a couple years now and haven’t been able to get free to get there… Funny thing how fate works out, I’m about two weeks out of having this project finished and the news comes out… Guess that’s why you should never pass up a chance to get out and go fishing with a friend… sorry to hear it’s getting too tough to do it on your own, but make sure you keep your good stuff so you can still join us when you can… Are they taking your drivers license due to the eye thing? If so we’ll have to figure out how to pick you up for the boat ride… Sorry to hear the news, knowing how much you love to fish, I’m sure your health is worse than you let on… so hope that can improve for you as well… Will join Shawn in a prayer as well… Can’t ever offer enough thanks for the help and knowledge you have passed on to me… and hope you’ll continue to keep doing that even though you might not be on the water as much as you used to… Thoughts going your way… Jeff