The best part of being in the fishing lodge business is, without a doubt, the ‘people’ experiences that we get to share with our guests.
Long time Andros South guest Andy Dober wrote today’s amazing people story from Andros South. It’s a good one – read on.
Thank you, Andy!
Friends and Family
It’s January 30th 2007, another beautiful day at Andros South. The night before I checked the white board in the kitchen and saw that I was going fishing with a gentleman named Bob Fedowitz. I had never fished with Bob before and had actually just met Bob for the first time at dinner. Bob had just come in to the lodge and arrived a day before his good friend Pofie, so he had no one to fish with this day. I spoke to Bob at dinner and quickly realized that Bob was a fantastic individual. I was 37 at the time and Bob was well into his 70s, yet we enjoyed our conversation and we were looking forward to fishing.
Our day fishing together was a great one indeed with Bob and I catching a good number of bonefish, having great conversations, and enjoying each other’s company all day. It was as if Bob and I had know each other all our lives, not just for a few hours.
As we started our return boat ride home, Bob said to me “Andy, do you know a Frank Dober?” I looked at Bob and replied “I sure do, my father is Frank Dober.” Bob smiled and replied “I thought you looked familiar, not only we were great friends as kids but I grew up with your father.”
I couldn’t believe it! Here I am, over 2,00 miles away from home, fishing with a guy I had just met and I come to find out that he grew up with my dad! I was amazed, and so was Bob. We talked about my dad the whole way home and even called my father that night from the lodge. I came to find out that my dad and Bob were childhood friends, but Bob’s family moved away and the two of them lost track of each other. It was a great reunion for myself, my father and Bob.
Later that year Bob sent me a picture that shows Bob (front row, second from the left) and my father Frank Dober (front row second from the right) from their 1944 CYO basketball team. My uncle Vinny Dober is also pictured (back row, second from the right).
Bob unfortunately passed away in 2011. I was able to fish with Bob a few more times at Andros South before he passed and we always looked forward to seeing each other each year. We always found it incredible that we fished together that day. I will never forget that day or Bob Fedowitz.
Great story Andy!
Andy,
Bob is and always will be my father. Your story brought tears to my eyes in a good way, reminding me again why my father was such a great man (and in so many ways!) Thank you for sharing this.
My dad loved fishing in Andros with all of you guys from Syracuse. I know – I usually was his driver to/from the airport so I got to hear some of the stories. Thank you for sharing your experience with my dad. The entire family enjoyed reading it (albeit through the tears!)
Annie
Bob had a positive impact on all of us from the Troutfitter, and I am sure just about everyone he met. He is part of what makes these trips special, what makes these trips more than just a trip to catch fish. We always enjoyed hearing about his life experiences, his family and the lessons about life that he would share with us. Thank you for the kind comments everyone, and I am especially glad that Bob’s family appreciates the story, and my attempt at honoring my friend Bob.
Hi Annie, It’s pretty amazing that our dads were best friends as kids, and than I met Bob more than 2,000 miles from home. Thank you for the reply, the kind words, and I am glad you enjoyed the story. AD
This is an amazing story and it just goes to show what truly fantastic people the vast majority of fly fishers are! Well done for writing and sharing this Andy!