My Introduction to the Great Outdoors

My introduction to the outdoors started at an very early age. My Dad, John C. Porter use to let me tag a long with him during the rifle season in Maine for white-tail deer, even before I was able to carry a gun. Once able to carry my trusty little .22 we often stopped deer hunting so I could attempt to shoot red squirrels that were a nuisance to us while hunting. This man also let me hunt alone at a very early age and was always happy when I bagged a partridge or deer.
My fishing started at an early age also, as we lived right beside Pushaw Lake in Glenburn,ME. My love for salmon fishing was brought on by a man named Richard Morse. Dick use to drag me around during ice fishing season and also would bring his boat to camp so we could troll on Cold Stream in Lincoln,ME.
Fly fishing became a hobby of mine, once I enlisted in the US Army. My recruiter, Arnie Kozak introduced me to fly fishing for brookies and salmon on the Roach River in Kokadjo,ME. We spent many of Saturday on this river and to this day, I can still remember all the pools we fished.
Trapping--well I learned this the hard way as noone in my family was active with this sport. I felt, I needed something in the outdoors to do, when I was between seasons. I have had some great partners on the line with me(my Dad, my son, Packy, and also Dave Porter). Each and everyone has taught me a thing or two while out on my line. Thanks all.
Now, I can't finish without mentioning my good buddies that use to fish with me or against me on the bass fishing tournament scene. I have had alot of fun with a bunch of guys but a few really stand out in my mind. My old partner, Mike Sills, from Madison,ME-- him and I was a team to not be taken lightly. Mike knew his stuff, and I knew my way around a net(LOL). Jim Drinkwater from Guilford,ME......... What can I not say about this old man. My love for this guy is almost like father and son. We fished against each other and also with each other, he showed me a few spots on varies lakes that I would have never known and I taught him about water clarity on Sebasticook Lake in Newport,ME. Damn, I miss fishing with this guy and also fishing Sebasticook. Tommy Ivers from Bangor,ME and also Dave Pratt from (hell its either Dexter or Sangerville,ME) were also some guys that showed me alot of respect and also took me under their wing when I joined a bass club with them. Many of laughs with these great men, even if it was on my account. Still remember my first club meeting with these fine gentlemen, Jim was discussing the Carolina Rig and I had alot to say on this subject as at the time I threw it alot. Towards then of my tournament career with these guys, my motto was--LIVE OR DIE BY THE JIG N PIG......
In closing, i just want to thank each and everyone of my mentors that taught me a thing or two in my quest to become a well rounded outdoorsman in Maine and now NC.. You guys deserve the best.