Would You Wanna Go This Way?

Last month a Washington state man died soon after catching the fish of his dreams. Here’s the story:

> Dan Dodds, 62, was fishing off the beach at Keystone Spit between the Coupeville ferry landing and Island County Driftwood Park early Thursday morning. Coupeville resident Jim Steinkirchner, 84, was fishing nearby. He said no one had been catching anything when Dodds suddenly got a strike on his pole.

> The ensuing battle ranged all over, with Dodds at times fighting the monster while waist-deep in the water. “He fought it for 15 or 20 minutes, up and down the beach,” Steinkirchner said.

> Chris Loder, also of Coupeville, was nearby as well and helped Dodds eventually land the fish. It later weighted in as a 28-pound king salmon. Loder said the man was smiling ear-to-ear with satisfaction. “He told me, ‘That’s the fish of my dreams,’” Loder said.

> Most fishermen that day were hoping to catch a pink salmon which are plentiful now but weigh only a few pounds.

> Watching the entire spectacle was Coupeville resident Joe Biller, a recently retired training officer for North Whidbey Fire and Rescue and a longtime fire chief of Central Whidbey Fire and Rescue. After the battle, Biller said he saw Dodds sit down on his stool and noticed that he was having trouble breathing. When he looked again, Dodds had fallen forward and was face down in the water.

> [After CPR at the scene, Dodd] was transported to Whidbey General Hospital [and] was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival at 8:58 a.m.

Wow, what a story. I can’t think of any much better way to go for an angler. Care to share what your dream fish would be in the same scenario – maybe a 25-pound largie?

And in case there was any doubt:

> Ron Bodamer, a Coupeville resident, was one of Dodds’ best friends. He described him as the most generous person he’d ever met, a man who was always willing to help out without ever asking for anything in return beside friendship.

Sound like any lure-chucker you know? Probably most of ’em. RIP Dan!