Jocumsen’s day fishing with Mikey

Michael Cano meets Carl Jocumsen for Michael’s first bass fishing trip. Cano underwent surgery in March to remove a brain tumor. When his uncle, Norm Blasingame, asked him what’s the one thing he wanted most to do, Michael replied, “Go fishing.”
Michael Cano meets Carl Jocumsen for Michael’s first bass fishing trip. Cano underwent surgery in March to remove a brain tumor. When his uncle, Norm Blasingame, asked him what’s the one thing he wanted most to do, Michael replied, “Go fishing.”
Jocumsen at the behest of former Elite professional Kevin Short stepped in to make the 9-year-olds’ wish come true.
Jocumsen at the behest of former Elite professional Kevin Short stepped in to make the 9-year-olds’ wish come true.
Short said Jocumsen was the perfect choice because he was good with kids. Michael was certainly enamored with him.
Short said Jocumsen was the perfect choice because he was good with kids. Michael was certainly enamored with him.
The young angler’s scar from his surgery was evident as Jocumsen tied on a lure for Michael. The two were fishing on an agricultural reservoir near Stuttgart, Ark. The small reservoirs are utilized to irrigate rice, but have a secondary purpose of providing some excellent fishing
The young angler’s scar from his surgery was evident as Jocumsen tied on a lure for Michael. The two were fishing on an agricultural reservoir near Stuttgart, Ark. The small reservoirs are utilized to irrigate rice, but have a secondary purpose of providing some excellent fishing
Prior to launching, Kevin Short attaches a GoPro camera to capture the action
Prior to launching, Kevin Short attaches a GoPro camera to capture the action
While the boats were launched, Michael watched behind a pair of sunglasses. Cano wore an eye patch to correct the temporary double-vision resulting from his surgery. He also wore a facemask to keep him safe from airborne germs while he undergoes radiation.
While the boats were launched, Michael watched behind a pair of sunglasses. Cano wore an eye patch to correct the temporary double-vision resulting from his surgery. He also wore a facemask to keep him safe from airborne germs while he undergoes radiation.
Jocumsen outfitted Cano with a life vest before they got started.
Jocumsen outfitted Cano with a life vest before they got started.
On the water, Jocumsen gave Michael a few rudimentary instructions on how to utilize the spinning tackle.
On the water, Jocumsen gave Michael a few rudimentary instructions on how to utilize the spinning tackle.
Jocumsen showed him how to release the bail on the spinning reel and make a cast.
Jocumsen showed him how to release the bail on the spinning reel and make a cast.
And within minutes Michael hooked up with a largemouth.
And within minutes Michael hooked up with a largemouth.
The fish spit the hook. But the quick action showed there would be other opportunities.
The fish spit the hook. But the quick action showed there would be other opportunities.
A minute later, Michael would reel in the first bass of his young life.
A minute later, Michael would reel in the first bass of his young life.
Jocumsen gave Michael a quick lesson on how to hold the fish.
Jocumsen gave Michael a quick lesson on how to hold the fish.
Then the two, along with Blasingame, a.k.a., Uncle Bubba, posed for a photo. Hidden under the white mask is a wide grin.
Then the two, along with Blasingame, a.k.a., Uncle Bubba, posed for a photo. Hidden under the white mask is a wide grin.
Mikey quickly got back to it, obviously hooked by the experience and wanting more.
Mikey quickly got back to it, obviously hooked by the experience and wanting more.
After just minutes in the boat, Michael had to sit on the deck, his legs too weak to allow him to stand for very long. Jocumsen and Uncle Bubba followed suit.
After just minutes in the boat, Michael had to sit on the deck, his legs too weak to allow him to stand for very long. Jocumsen and Uncle Bubba followed suit.
Michael caught another bass, and another, each time going through the process of holding it for a photo then releasing it.
Michael caught another bass, and another, each time going through the process of holding it for a photo then releasing it.
A fish-catch always brought a thumbs-up from Jocumsen and an unseen smile under the mask that covered most of Michael’s face.
A fish-catch always brought a thumbs-up from Jocumsen and an unseen smile under the mask that covered most of Michael’s face.
With very little of his face showing and very little hair covering his head, Michael took on a heart-tugging look the entire morning.
With very little of his face showing and very little hair covering his head, Michael took on a heart-tugging look the entire morning.
One of many highlights for Cano was getting to drive Jocumsen’s boat across the small reservoir.
One of many highlights for Cano was getting to drive Jocumsen’s boat across the small reservoir.
Jocumsen continued to guide him, but he allowed Cano to do most of the work.
Jocumsen continued to guide him, but he allowed Cano to do most of the work.
Across the reservoir, the two took up their position on the front of the boat.
Across the reservoir, the two took up their position on the front of the boat.
And were soon catching more fish.
And were soon catching more fish.
But the bass started getting bigger.
But the bass started getting bigger.
Much bigger.
Much bigger.
Big enough to elicit a high five.
Big enough to elicit a high five.
And a desire to catch another one.
And a desire to catch another one.
With each bass, Michael’s ability to get the fish to the side of the boat improved.
With each bass, Michael’s ability to get the fish to the side of the boat improved.
Jocumsen got a workout lending a helping hand landing and unhooking all the fish the youngster caught.
Jocumsen got a workout lending a helping hand landing and unhooking all the fish the youngster caught.
They often ended with a pose and thumbs up.
They often ended with a pose and thumbs up.
He even caught a big piece of a tree, also called “a limb bream.”
He even caught a big piece of a tree, also called “a limb bream.”
Jocumsen set up Michael with a plastic worm and Michael would slowly reel it back to him.
Jocumsen set up Michael with a plastic worm and Michael would slowly reel it back to him.
Even with one eye covered, you could see how intent Michael was on watching the line for signs of a bite.
Even with one eye covered, you could see how intent Michael was on watching the line for signs of a bite.
By mid-morning, Cano was trying his hand at boat-flipping fish.
By mid-morning, Cano was trying his hand at boat-flipping fish.
The two would sit side by side, Jocumsen running the trolling motor with his hands while both watched their lines.
The two would sit side by side, Jocumsen running the trolling motor with his hands while both watched their lines.
And it was Michael who got the bites most of the time.
And it was Michael who got the bites most of the time.
With fish that were large enough to get a helping hand from Jocumsen.
With fish that were large enough to get a helping hand from Jocumsen.
Followed by a high five.
Followed by a high five.
Another opportunity to pose.
Another opportunity to pose.
Followed by even more action as the young boy set the hook and reeled in fish after fish.
Followed by even more action as the young boy set the hook and reeled in fish after fish.
Getting them close enough to see some exciting tail-walking action.
Getting them close enough to see some exciting tail-walking action.
And occasionally getting enough splash to feel the water spray.
And occasionally getting enough splash to feel the water spray.
When the trip started, Michael Cano was a timid fisherman. By the end of the trip, Jocumsen and Cano had created an obvious bond while Michael was learning more and more of what catching and fighting a fish was like.
When the trip started, Michael Cano was a timid fisherman. By the end of the trip, Jocumsen and Cano had created an obvious bond while Michael was learning more and more of what catching and fighting a fish was like.
He had moments of excitement when fish would launch themselves several feet in the air.
He had moments of excitement when fish would launch themselves several feet in the air.
While others would skitter across the surface.
While others would skitter across the surface.
And come into the boat with the help of a friend.
And come into the boat with the help of a friend.
Uncle Norm Blasingame expected Michael to tire after an hour or so of fishing because of his surgery and the radiation treatments that followed.
Uncle Norm Blasingame expected Michael to tire after an hour or so of fishing because of his surgery and the radiation treatments that followed.
Michael, though, had no quit in him. He stuck with the action for 3 1/2 hours.
Michael, though, had no quit in him. He stuck with the action for 3 1/2 hours.
And his excitement level was ratcheted up by this fish, the largest of the day.
And his excitement level was ratcheted up by this fish, the largest of the day.
The big fish put on a show as it danced around the boat.
The big fish put on a show as it danced around the boat.
And created an undoubted smile on the face of a young kid catching bass for the first time.
And created an undoubted smile on the face of a young kid catching bass for the first time.
This produced an even bigger feeling of satisfaction from Jocumsen, who once again went through the process of holding a largemouth that was as long as the Michael was wide.
This produced an even bigger feeling of satisfaction from Jocumsen, who once again went through the process of holding a largemouth that was as long as the Michael was wide.
Big thumbs up all around as Michael held a fish like the ones he’d seen in pictures of his uncle holding.
Big thumbs up all around as Michael held a fish like the ones he’d seen in pictures of his uncle holding.
Hours later, Michael would still be working on catching more fish, following the course of every bass angler in the world.
Hours later, Michael would still be working on catching more fish, following the course of every bass angler in the world.
During those hours, Cano caught a couple dozen bass.
During those hours, Cano caught a couple dozen bass.
Getting to be outside enjoying the sights of jumping fish.
Getting to be outside enjoying the sights of jumping fish.
Feeling the wind and the spray from a fighting fish.
Feeling the wind and the spray from a fighting fish.
And touching a wild creature that he’d only seen in photos.
And touching a wild creature that he’d only seen in photos.
The whole process was worth watching for any bass angler.
The whole process was worth watching for any bass angler.
Watching a professional sitting on the floor of his boat, at the same level of a sick child and letting him get the feeling of what bass fishing can be like.
Watching a professional sitting on the floor of his boat, at the same level of a sick child and letting him get the feeling of what bass fishing can be like.
At the end of the day, the smile that was hidden all day could be seen as the three held up three of the fish Michael had caught.
At the end of the day, the smile that was hidden all day could be seen as the three held up three of the fish Michael had caught.
Despite the hardships, Cano had the smile of a successful bass angler at the end of the day.
Despite the hardships, Cano had the smile of a successful bass angler at the end of the day.
Cano’s smile got bigger when Jocumsen presented him with his own rod and reel, along with one of his jerseys that had been signed by many of the Elite anglers.
Cano’s smile got bigger when Jocumsen presented him with his own rod and reel, along with one of his jerseys that had been signed by many of the Elite anglers.
Michael wasted no time putting on the jersey and posing with Jocumsen. Michael’s mother, Lindsey said she’s been barely able to get the jersey off of him since.
Michael wasted no time putting on the jersey and posing with Jocumsen. Michael’s mother, Lindsey said she’s been barely able to get the jersey off of him since.