Larry Lenon and Marty Martinez retired in central Florida. They loved the excitement and challenge of fishing. But as time went by, they outgrew the hectic weekend fishing tournaments. As people do, they matured and began to see life through a new lens. While young fishermen are physically strong and driven by the thrill of the hunt, older fisherman show strength through the wisdom of understanding. In our fast-paced world the bridge to graceful aging is often broken or altogether missing.  

Ron Kaufman once said, “You can’t find what doesn’t exist, but you can create it.” Kaufman helps leaders, teams, and organizations learn how to serve better, care more, and generate new values in the world. He is committed to uplifting the spirit and practice of service and care in the present and for the future.

In my opinion, Larry and Marty did just that. They served their fellow retirees by placing value on the needs of aging fishermen. In 2015, the two men established The Greybeards fishing club, which is specifically geared toward fishermen 55 years and older. This exclusive largemouth bass club currently serves 22 happy fishermen. To keep things simple, it is limited to 25 members. Bass fishing is perfect for both new and experienced anglers for many different reasons. Having a boat is not a requirement; however, if you don’t own a boat, find a friend who does. All the lakes and ramps are pre-picked a year in advance. All tournaments are held in the central Florida lakes, which include the Harris Chain of lakes. There are no membership dues (first class on a low budget). All boaters leave the dock at safelight and return between 12:00 and 2:00 pm. Lunch and laughs follow one tournament a month.

All tournaments take place on the 2^nd and 4^th Thursday of every month. Entry fee for each tournament is $25. There are four opportunities to win cash prizes. Five dollars from each participant fee goes to the fisherman who lands the biggest bass (They call this the big bass cash payout). The three fishermen with the largest total weight of fish, also win a cash prize.  The 1^st place winner receives 50% of the remaining pot. The 2nd place winner receives 30% of the remaining pot and the 3rd place winner receives 20% of the remaining pot. It wouldn’t be a tournament if it didn’t have rules.

The club follows Florida state fishing guidelines. Although exemption with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission allows fish of any size to be kept, the club allows 5 fish to be kept and all of them must be over 13” long. All Florida tournaments are strictly catch and release. After weighing in, fish are released to help preserve the health of the ecosystem.

The Greybeards may not be the most graceful fishermen, but they are definitely fishermen who are aging gracefully. This largemouth bass fishing club is “mostly” a social club that allows people to connect in a way that fosters friendship and community. It is one small pursuit that values and lifts the spirts of 22 men.