Fishing with Kreuder and Dolan

I explained in an earlier post why I feared fishing on the Mississippi. Although I spent 11 years living in river towns, I only ventured out in a boat to fish one time. This was with my teaching buddy and long time friend, known by everybody as Kreuder.

Gerry(pronounced Jerry)  grew up in Savanna also on the Mississippi. Boating was a family tradition. In addition to being on the river almost every week-end, he was also trained as a rescue diver for the fire department.

Gerry loved to ride up and down the river, water ski, camp on sand bars and swim in the river. It seemed all his family fun centered around the river. He had a large powerful boat to do all this .

We were also friends with Kenny Dolan, who was the local postmaster. Kenny was married to Evelyn, a wonderful teacher, who mentored me through my first year. Kenny was the best known person in Albany mostly because you had to go to the post office to get your mail. Kenny was a disabled veteran and had been injured in WW 2. He was unable to use his right leg. Despite his injury he was the most affable, positive person I knew.

One day, Gerry decided to take Kenny and I out fishing on the Mississippi. Kenny could barely walk along the dock and crawl into the boat.Gerry didn't fish, Kenny couldn't swim, and I was just plain afraid. Despite this prescription for disaster, we headed out onto the mighty Mississippi.

After a little excursion up and down the river, Gerry decided to pull us into a small bay in a river island, known as Beaver Island.. He dropped an anchor and we cast our lines. After a few minutes of no fish, Kenny managed to snag his line. 

Kenny tried to free the line, by crawling out on the bow of the boat. Both Gerry and I were afraid he would fall in and tried to convince him to let us help.I ended up crawling out on a tree limb to free his line.

Having experienced near disaster, we decided a boat ride would be better than fishing.We finished the morning riding up and down the river. The only remaining excitement occurred when Kenny tried to get out of the boat and walk on the constantly moving dock. Fortunately he made it without falling in.

I don't know if our trip was part of the motivation, but Kenny began to push for a fishing park along the shore of the Mississippi. He wanted a place for kids and parents to fish safely. 

The local Lions club rallied to support his effort. Gerry was one of the leaders in the club and helped support this effort. A small former dump was cleared and leveled. The bank was gently sloped to the water so that anyone could access it. A small parking area was formed along the highway The club installed a few picnic tables and erected a sign.

This is my then four year old son, Scott, fishing at Dolan Park.

Gerry remains a life long friend, although we don't see each other often. He still boats in the Mississippi, but I don't think he fishes much. Kenny passed away over 40 years ago, but you can still fish along the Mississippi in Dolan Park, a great tribute to a great man.
credit Gerry for adding accuracy and Connie for pictures