Tred's Back and Better Than Ever

[sushi42]

I know a few members on this site didn't quite feel the love when Tred Barta had his own forum. He has his own point of view and isn't afraid to speak it. Well, my guess is that includes most of us members.

I happen to read an article Tred wrote a little while back telling us all that he'd be back and attempting to catch a sail on 2 lb. tackle, with a custom harness that was in the process of being built at the time of him writing the article. Yup, I am guilty too. I said no way even on a cold day in hell will we see Tred Barta catching sails on a boat, in a custom harness, on 2 lb. test tackle non the less. Well in this case I'm happy to announce I was wrong. Last night I'm winding down and I see on the TV menu that Treds' show is on next so I decided to watch it. What the hell, haven't seen much of him lately so why not.

Well here comes Tred, rolling into Guatemala in style. Being hand fed frozen drinks as he exits his handicapped accessible vehicle. The next scene was simply put, awesome. Tred is on the Rum Line, a boat he's comfortable with, a boat and captain he's fished with a lot in his lifetime. He's pitching half-beaks to lit up frenzied sails, with his wife and mate on each side he's hooked up! I never in a million years would have thought I'd see this, but there he is, his usual self. Just a little more cranky than normal. He didn't land this fish and he wasn't happy about it. The next day was a little out of the ordinary. The camp and owner took Tred on an all day sightseeing venture via helo and they had a heart to heart with him. Trying their best to settle Tred down from the first day of fishing where he complained about everything including his newly customized harness that was too tight. Hell I thought for a minute we might be witnessing Treds last breath. So here he his, the third day and second trip on the water with the Rum Line. Fish lit all up, fire in his eyes, and Tred pitches a hoo to him.......Fish on baby! Using all of his knowledge, all of his expertise, putting just the right amount of thumb pressure on the spool and dipping and bowwing the rod at just the perfect moment it happened. Tred was only the fourth person on the Rum Line to ever catch a sail on 2 lb. test. INCREDIBLE! That is I believe the Capt. said out of something like 60,000 sails put on his boat over the years. And then he did it again!!

Tred, thanks for being you, for not giving up when the cards aren't just down but they're being stomped on. Thanks for teaching us other values than just expecting good things to come our way. Heck sometimes you just have to want it. What could possibly be nest, you gonna wrestle a grrizzly now?! Riggers raised to you Tred Barta. Keep on rockin dude.

[HOLWACHAGOT]

Don't even have to like him to respect him....he just doesn't quit. Wish I had half his drive. Thanks for the post.

Holwachagot

[Persistence]

I agree...the man is just who he is and I like his never quit attitude. Most people would have just faded away after an illness like he suffered but he is finding a way to make his mark. I like that...

Way to go Tred

[Pargon]

In Mexico you hear the phrase "Yerbas malas nunca muerin", it literally means "bad weeds never die", but is often used to refer with respect to the toughest of our breed, those who will not go softly into that not so good night. Capt. Barta is most certainly that. He has always cut a wide swath through life, and long may he continue. I have never had the pleasure of meeting him, but am associated with another old lion, Capt. Fred Archer, who also continues to rage and rail. We are lucky to have both of these "yerbas malas" in the world of fishing.

[NY Bearhunter]

MADE MY DAY TO HERE THAT STORY... TRED, YOUR THE MAN.

[BTH284]

He certainly has the right attitude toward life...............and always has IMO. Way to go Tred! You will be battling bigeye and bluefin before you know it!

[bigfishhooker]

I was brought up to understand the right way and wrong way to do things....very similar to how Tred talks about the "Easy" way and "Hard" way to doing it. Though still a young guy, I've always said that I will wear out, not rust out. Something reinforced by Tred's will to continue to live life to the fullest.

My father in law suffered a mini stroke over the Easter holiday...not bad and no deficits as they call them, but the MRI shows it happened. He sat around over the weekend talking about sick friends, and those that were bad off. I plan on making sure he knows about Tred's trials and now successes. He's an old Navy pilot who just needs a good kick in the ass to remind him what he has. I'm sure that Jimmy V, Nike and others more famous have said the words like "Don't ever give up" or "Just Do It"......but you can't keep a good man down. Throw me another curve ball in life and watch me hit it opposite side out of the park.

[Agitated88]

Saw the show a couple weeks ago, the first day was ruff on Tred, more success with the shotgun on day two, and then day three in typical Tred fashion he comes through "the BARTA way".

[Big Jay]

Saw the show a couple weeks ago, the first day was ruff on Tred, more success with the shotgun on day two, and then day three in typical Tred fashion he comes through "the BARTA way".

Same here. I watched him get the 2lb. tackle sail.

Either way, it was said best:

You don't have to like his way, but you have to respect it.

[JD5652]

Saw the same show a while back......impressive and motivating for sure....