Just came back from Davids funeral (A group of us went together Sunday). You wouldnt not believe it if I told you, but fishing was just a partial part of his life. David was a world class Contractor, built or remodeled some of the more prestigious homes in Macomb. His charactor was infectious, even his customers became his friends including Kurt Maltby, who spoke for him yesterday. David developed Michigan's RC WWII combat aircraft club into a Nationally renouned club, we found out, as the President broke down during his time talking of Dave. And the band members who showed up thought he only loved music. He seemed to be 100% into everythng endeavor. His character spilled into every conversation he had, and he found you inside yourself, the true you, and spoke to that person. And then you were his friend. And good times always followed. His friends told stories, many outside of fishing. The stories helped heal.
Following up to some great input from McCarter and Revtro - everyone has a story of Madwags - and I hope you'll share your treasures here with us - and tell us one.
Please chime in.
Mike Schoes
I only met meet Dave once at the fishing show
And from that I did get that he was guy living life to fullest extent.
They had turkey balls at the show last year
Dave went over bought a cup full and started downing them without any hesitation
So I asked him why he would even try them.
His answer was you only live once.
There were actually more than just 2 from the site there. Thanks to Laporte and ripn lips for keeping me company through a hard experience. He was an awesome guy, and he will be missed by many people.
Dave fished my Tuesday night trail out on st. clair through NBAA. We really got to know each other really well. Mojo, dave, my tourney p and myself were always the last ones to leave the ramp on Tuesday nights. It didn't matter what we had to do in the morning or what the weather was. As soon as I would close the scales, him and mojo would have a cold one waiting for me. I looked up to dave as a father figure, always checked up on my college stats and was always there for a word of wisdom. I look up to all of my fishing friends and consider them all like brothers.
It seems like we spend more time with the anglers we compete against than our own families. I have never lost a friend before, only being 23, and I was truly crushed when MOJO told me. It still hurts the hell out've me. I know mojo, dan, Jay, and Mike smith and testify to that!
Alls I know is that when ever my day comes, I hope that I leave half the impression on this world as Dave has!
That is a goal worth having.
Like a lot of guys, I met Dave at a few tourneys over the past few years, but mostly got to know him on the boards here and over Facebook. I found him to be a gracious and easy to get-to-know person. One thing that impressed me about Dave was that even though we hardly knew each other, he would invite me to come see his band and we had made arrangements to get together and fish this coming summer because we live close by each other. I was really looking forward to that day and am sad it won't happen. I think it's pretty cool that with all his success, he didn't think himself better than anyone else and was open to friendships with whoever. That's a rare quality in a person.
I can write about David - And I think there are more stories out there to be told.
So this was my first DK open, and my first full year fishing on Lake St Clair, and I never TheMadWags. As unsure as I was about fishing, he was confident. We hit Ovid and went all the way to the back to the blown side of the lake. Its frothy with algae and Im getting crap all over my lures. I cant understand why we are fishing in this slop and stuff that has all been blown over to one side. Couple laughs later...... and in conversation Ive been taught exactly why we are there and what the fish are doing. And we caught some. Dave could just fish and educate and you never knew you'd just become wiser til later.
That was Dave. Then something magical happened. I started relaxing and crackin Dave up, and he couldnt stop laughin, soon we were makin fun of his overly exposed southern drawl (after being in Michigan so long) and every word became a drawl. So when he announces he going to this orange lure called "Meth-I-O-Lade" I fell out laughing so hard we couldnt cast. But he did - into the reeds and got it stuck - or did he - cause a 4.5 lbr was under that crap !!!! He brings the fish out in the open and as I get the net he waves me off - says," this is how we do it in the south", and lays back on his back and lips the fish - no net ...... so the rest of the day - when one needed something - we'd wave each other off saying , " no net - I got it" !!
SO... I made a friend that day, and every time thereafter one of us would drawl out a southern word - like when he talked about his first boat - a BASS---O----MATIC.... and inevitably we start crackin up ... like kids.... that was the effect he had.
He connected with each one of us in a special way. And that was Dave.