My Wish for All of Us Old-Timers Come This Thursday...Er, Make That Wednesday

That old sun is rising

That water is clear

I watch my lure as it's flying through the air

I see a ripple

I hear a splash

Lord have mercy, it's a five-pound bass

Those lyrics from country singer Robert Earl Keen's song, "Five Pound Bass," represent what I hope we all find during our first-ever Senior Citizens Day Bass Rodeo out of West Neck Marina.

My kayaker buddy, Charlie, who, incidentally, is an old-timer himself, finally broke the 5-pound barrier last year with this 5-lb. 3-oz. bass that he caught with a Texas-rigged 4-inch Chigger Craw.

If ever a man proved that persistence eventually yields some rewards, it's Charlie. He worked for a very long time before being able to claim this victory.

Whether it is or isn't with a 5-pound bass like this one, you can be certain that someone also will claim victory this Wednesday, Aug. 20, when we 60-year-olds and older take to the water. Fishing hours will be safe light to 12:30. Here are the other particulars for anyone interested:

     * Costs include a $10-per-person entry fee (with 100 percent payout), optional $5-per-person big-bass pot, and $5-per-boat ramp fee. Given the number of entrants I'm currently aware of, the payout will only be one place. That could change, though, if more qualified entrants (age 60 or over) show up. Registration (in the marina store) will close at 5:45 a.m.

     * Participants are permitted to fish solo or no more than two-per-boat.

     * Weigh-in is limited to three fish per boat.

Afterward, everyone is welcome to sit for a spell and swap stories over a BBQ sandwich or whatever... if you want.