Volume One,  Ranger Rob, Introduction

The beginning

   In a time of walking on the moon, The Beatles and hippies,  came a young man born of love, adventure and a bond with the earth.  His name was Ranger Rob.  Some folks believe he was dropped a few times, or was hit by Lighting once or twice, but love him just the same.

   As a baby, he must have seen Tarzan to much, for his Mother could not keep the curtains on the wall.  Running around with a Davy Crockett coon skin hat and a toy six gun in diapers was a normal look for him.  He also had a magic with animals, almost like he could communicate with them.

  There are stories about him talking to wild animals and pets.  Some say he just thinks he can talk with them, but folks have seen him stop Elk herds in their tracks and Eagle’s catch fish for him.  Legend has it he even road a wild Black Bear in British Columbia, just to get to a small lake faster to fish.

  It was clear he was not like all the other kids.  As kids his age were playing 45 records, He was reading how to live off the land.  When his friends went swimming, He was fishing.  When most kids went skiing, He was out hunting.  And most of all, He loves to help others.

   Ranger Rob is a person that should have been born 100 years ago, yet lives in our modern society.  He just doesn’t always fit in.  He is known for his black cowboy hat, and simple clothing.  He is also known to love Dean Martin music.  Know one really knows why.

   The stories ahead will tell you of some wonderful characters like Cactus Jack, Deputy Dan and Shanderal Sherry, his one and only true love, and his famous dog Dixie, the Saint Bernard.

   To like Ranger Rob, is to like who everyone wants to be, a hero in sprit.  He is a mix of Superman, Detective Gadget and your best friend.  Ranger Rob is jn our hearts and mind,  and always near by to lend a hand.  Showing up where you never expect.   There is a Ranger Rob in all of us.

   This is a series of many of his adventures.

Story 1 of 3 – Volume One

Ranger Rob – Bait Boy at Sea

  As a teenager growing up, Ranger Rob loved fishing.  All kinds of fishing.  Fly Fishing, Lake fishing and ocean fishing for the great Kings of the Pacific Ocean.

  In high school, The Ranger was a day dreamer.  Always thinking of outdoor adventures like camping and hiking the Washington Olympics.  Fishing a little Cascade lake, or landing a 40 pound Salmon at sea.  Yet, Ranger Rob was taught from his Father that education always comes first, and that was what he did.  Yet always in his heart, was the need to get out there and start a new adventure.

  Before we start this story, there was another person in Ranger’s life.  A person he met at age seven.  The quiet,  and analytical “Shanderal Sherry”.  Yes, named for the Northwest mushroom for its hard to find nature and wonder flavor to eat.  If you ever had the chance to go mushroom picking for Shanderals.  They are hard to find and grow only in deep dark evergreen forest.  To find them is special, growing in moist carpet of green moss and silent forest.  A place of peace and beauty.

  By the way, Shanderal Sherry is much prettier than the mushroom.

  At the age of seven, Ranger Rob met Sherry at a preteen square dance club.  Knowing most kids do not square dance at that age, Ranger Rob knew in his heart, this was the love of his life.   Even the parents knew it.  There she was, at the front door, checking in with her parents.  It was like a big fish net hit him over the head.  She was the King Salmon of all King Salmons.  He knew she was the one to fight for.

  Even though both of them lived miles away from each other, they always stayed in touch.  Even in fifth grade, Ranger Robs Mother would set up dates for them.  The most memorable one was meeting for a movie “Davy Crockett”.   Ranger Rob’s inspiration and model for life.  Ranger Rob knew Shanderal Sherry would love him for life, once she saw that movie.

  He pledged to her that he would live his life like Davy, strong, thoughtful and rugged.  That may be why it took many more years after that for him to really get her to love him.  That was a lot to take at age twelve.  Yet she always had an interest in the Ranger.  Was it his friendly nature?  His outdoor appeal?  Or his cute Saint Bernard,  named “Dixie”. 

  At the age of 17, Ranger Rob, and a few friends went to a fishing town called “Westport”, along the Washington Pacific Coast, to do a little camping.  This was a major commercial and private Salmon fishing town, with over 300 boats moored there.  Thousands of people visited there to take day trips on large charter boats to catch Salmon and bottom fish.

  Each morning, starting as early as 4:00 am.  Skippers and young deck hands, also called “Bait Boys” scramble to prepare the boats for their fisherman of 14 to 24, depending on the size of the charter boat. 

In the dark, the engines fire up with a great thunder, deckhands setup the bait, poles and equipment.  Skippers inspect their boats, plan the voyage and begin to greet the customers starting to show up, ready for a great fishing experience. 

The docks suddenly have hundreds of happy fisherman looking for their assigned boats.  People of all ages, races and gender. All ready to catch a great Salmon.

Then like magic, almost at the same time, the army of boats start leaving the docks, like a big horse race.  All you can see is smoke fumes from the engines and voices of the excited fisherman tell fish stories.  It’s an amazing site.

  It’s was here the Ranger discovered his dream.