When my son was 15 he weighed 205 pounds and was 5'10" tall. In the fall of that year he played varsity football and was turning out for the wrestling team. We noticed suddenly that he appetite was gone and he always wanted to sleep. I thought that he was just going through another growth spurt however, Mom said something was wrong. Five Doctors and $15,000. (with good heath insurance) later he weighed 117 pounds and was finally diagnosed correctly at the U of W. He had Krohn's disease.

In June of that year he was feeling well enough to go springer fishing. We hired a guide and fished for springers. He caught the first fish of the day which weighed about 38 lbs. While he was fighting the fish he told me that he didn't feel strong enough to bring the fish in and I said, "Well I'll have to cut your line". He quickly found the strength to reel that one in. He then tied into four other fish, a 32 and a 27 lb springer and two steelhead. I had not touched a fish all day. I finally offered to reel one in for him and he said "Naw that's alright Dad, I think I'm strong enough to bring all of them in." I finally hit a 22 pound springer at the take-out. My son Randy seemed to turn around that day.

By the way, Don Kinsey has the trip documented on his fishing brochure.

He has had some bouts with the Krohn's since then but he is now a healthy 30 year old firefighter today, married to a wonderful woman and we just celebrated his daughter's one - year birthday last month.

So I agree with you that fishing is chicken soup for the soul. My son is still my fishing buddy and I'm looking forward to the day that I can take my grandson and grandaughters steelhead fishing.

I will remember your family in prayer. I hope you too can experience what I have found with my son.


Captain