I was fishing during a very cold winter near Rockport, Texas during the winter of 1982. The water temperature was unusually cold that year, and the bay had a thin layer of ice over it in some areas. I was fishing some deep channels in the subdivision where my parents had a house at that time. We could see huge trout swimming slowly on the surface, and I had to catch one. I tied on an old bingo lure and began casting into the cold water. After a few casts, some of my Dad's friends came out to watch the action. The air was about 20 degrees and the water was 37 or so. Very cold conditions for deep South Texas. I got a strike and landed a nice female trout. The next cast, I had a strong hit, and the fish was taking drag off my Daiwa BG-10 faster than I had ever seen. I fought the fish for a while and brought it close to the bulkhead where I was standing. It was my biggest trout to that point, and it was too heavy to bring on the bulkhead. I asked a guy named Homer (one of my Dad's friends) to bring me the net. He was excited by the size of the fish and started running over to me to help. He didn't see the patch of ice on the bulkhead between me and him, and he slipped off into the water. I am still fighting the fish, not wanting to let go of my catch. Homer weighed about 250 or so, and there was no way for me to pull him out. I was 14 at the time, but I don't think I could pull him out today either. My Dad and several other people start trying to get him out, and I quietly ask for the net that Homer is holding while floundering in the water gasping for his breath. He hands the net to someone who helped me land my biggest trout ever. It weighed about 7 pounds, and I haven't beat it yet! Homer had the presence of mind to hang on to the net, and give it to someone while he was swimming in near freezing water. I couldn't have done it without you, and I am glad there were people around who could help you out of the cold! Thanks Man!

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