This was a post written by Bearfish, one of our Senior Members of our Message boards in the closing of 2004, 12/31 at 11:48pm just minutes before the new year. We felt this was a rather memorable moment and wanted to share it with you.

 OK ...Alot of what I'm about to say here has been said before and I am sorry for that, but I feel that as this year comes to a close that I need to use the last 45 minutes of 04 to say thank you to everyone here.

 First to Sinker for starting Socalsinker.com and bringin it to what we all know and love today.

BajaDave for introducing me to the site and showing me so much about fishing the first day I ever fished with him...oh and the beers too. YEYEAH!!!

 Without those two mentioned above I would not be where I am today within myself or in the sport. I tip my had bow to you and stand clapping as you deserve nothing but the best.

 After I got hurt..I was a wreck and dealing with bad stuff in my life to which I am still dealing with. I get in my moods of pure darkness and depression from it and I can't sleep most nights. But due to the fact this site exists I can think back to all the good times I have had with friends I have made here and I swear on my own soul ... most nights when I cant sleep I think about them and they are the last thing I remember before I do fall asleep. The good times and the good friends here on Get Bent mean the world to me.

 Some folks out there in the world don't understand the obsession or addiction to the sport and who am I to fault them for that? Its OK not to fish or understand it...but why would you NOT want to? Who knows. My wife, who I love dearly and with every ounce of my heart, doesn't understand the addiction or obsession yet likes to fish too....not often mind you, but the few times she has gone with....she enjoyed herself. But she doesn't understand it....Ill keep it that way for now...LOL. I tell her that its for the out doors and the time alone, or the quiet. She laughs at me when I fish alot and have nothing to show for it too....but see that I'm happy and relaxed from a long day at some body of water. So she says nothing.

 I met up with alot of you here and same thing...we may get skunked and fish all friggin night but I'm still happy. All of you here that I have fished with in the past are top notch human beings. Joey, Mike , Drew....when I first met you three at Goleta...You scared the crap out of me man....not in a bad way but I knew I didn't bring an extra pair of underwear and if I pee'd my pants LMAO I was in trouble. LOL!!!!

  You three guys have impacted my life in such a way that I will never be able to explain but only to say that my life is better because of you. So said, everyone down the line of guys I met here have made a real impact on my life and it definitely shows at home. Putting all of this into words is hard as a lot of it is indescribable in a very good way.

  Finadict...Scott...You're the man. With your knowledge and backround...Ive changed my way of thinking about equipment and the uses. I know now I wont just BUY something that works, I will save for something that will work for a looooong time to com. And I put your way of thinking into my personal life and I have gotten farther in my life now that I think a little differently. Thanks man. Not to mention that rod you and Mike laid on me....WOW....Socks are in the works.

 I guess what I'm trying to say here in a nutshell...yeah my nutshells seem to be on the big side for the most part, is that You...the members have showed me that no matter what, No matter how hard things get, with friends and family....extended family included....EVERYTHING will be OK.

  I had a few bad times this year that I didn't know what to do or how to make it right and you all jumped in with your support and prayers and seriously guys, if it wasn't for you all here, I would NOT have been able to stay strong for my family. Thanks for holding me up in those times of need.

 For 2005 I wish that for each and every one of you here that this be the year that makes all other years in the past look like training day. I want this year to be nothing but success for all of you. I hope my career takes off sure, but that just makes a few folks happy and rightfully so it should, but I want 05 to bring all the Getbent members and families to a place where happiness is a full time thing.

Rick,Stacey and Jordan and now Matty...well lets just say life without you guys would not be the same....Freinds like You and the rest of the Getbent crew only come around once in a lifetime and I'm so lucky to have you all come around at the same time.

In closing as I have said many times in the past.................

YOU ALL ROCK!!!!!

 God bless you all and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

Bearfish

Group: Senior Member
Joined: November/22/2003
Location: California
Posts: 3137