I'm Disbanding Team Swordfish

[Popeye]

I’ve thought long and hard about this decision and have now, made my mind up. I would respectfully like to disband “Team Swordfish”.
I am going to put the Julie Rose III up for sale. Not on Ifish, but any concerned, can PM me for details about the brokerage.
The decision has been long and arduous.
It has nothing to do with some of the things you might think. It has only to do with some personal changes, and the desires of Julie and me to do some different things with our lives.
I definitely don’t want to put any dampers on what everyone else is doing; we just have decided to make a small change in our lives.

The “Sea” has been my life for many years, but the “Sea” is not everything in life. It’s time to move on.
I have enjoyed the comradery of all of you Salty Dogs, and will never forget it.

Rod, Jim, Dean, Bill, I hope you understand, and I’ll always be proud of the companionship and “hipe” of planning for this event.

[Deepslayer]

Sorry to hear that! Enjoy your new adventures in life!

[Bluefinn]

we will miss you out there.Good luck to you both.

[Reel Creel]

Good Luck Big Boy...

[Zodiac-Fisherman]

Bruce,

The JR3 is a beautiful craft, however it seemed like it was more of a "cruising" boat rather than a open water/fishing boat, furthermore you did an excellent job of turning it into a fish-slaying-battlewagon.. Whoever is the the lucky one to attain the throne of the JR3 is going to be very happy.



Dylan

[Aqua-Holic]

Hey Captain....I totally understand and although I'm not shocked, I'm mildly surprised. Married to the Sea or married to cows.....hey, it's all the same.....right?
"C" Dock won't be the same without you. I feel honored to have been in your company on both the Julie Rose II and the Julie Rose III. You and the original Julie are two of the most gracious people I know. As always, best wishes for whatever you chose to do.

[Popeye]

Thanks Dean....I think Glad you understand, AND it has been a great pleasure over these several years
I'm not totally out of the picture, it will take time to sell the boat....and then.....I guess I'll just be another "boat ho"

[skein]

Wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute.

Think about what you're doing. With the Julie Rose III gone:

Probably more than 100 people will walk off the end of "C" dock expecting to stop in and say "hi."

WetFly won't be able to find his slip.

Mike Stowe will have to buy his own munchies.

I'll have to buy my own dock cart.

Do you want all that on your conscience?

:grin: :grin: :grin:

Actually I'm not surprised, except for your veiled "goodbye" to the 'Dogs - and the sea.

You'll always be a part of the Salty Dogs, so forget about getting out of here that easily. And as for the sea, it's a part of you that will never let go. Never.

Have a good time punchin' cows, Skipper, but to us you'll always be the Swordboat Captain. And I'll always be part of the team.

See ya on the prairie.

Skein

[Salty Walty]

Popeye, It was a pleasure to get out on the JR III and experience your great hospitality. Good luck and Best Wishes on the next Chapter.

[wak'm&stak'm]

I wish the best for both of you.

I certainly understand, I have a few more years till I retire....and then I will be making some changes as well. I think the ODFW will have me fishing only for sanddabs by then anyway.

Takecare,

[Bill Monroe]

Totally understand, Bruce...saddened that you won't be down there to "nearly" drop by, too...Still, Jim's right...you're at the corps of the spirit.
Now I guess I'll have to go bird hunting instead!
Best wishes...The lottery should be just about right a week from Saturday to pick up our new home at the coast from you...
Best wishes...
Bill

[Jennie@ifish]

This will be so weird to have no Popeye on ifish!!!

...and I never went for the ride of my life!

But, nonetheless, I wish both of you well!

I'm so glad that I got to visit with you when I did!

Jen

[Billfisher]

Long Live Popeye...

Bruce, you'll be welcome on my boat anytime! Now, where are we gonna clean fish? Whose going to take on the role of "Salty Dog Mothership?"

=D

[Stoyjun Princess]

Popeye, we will miss you out on the big blue Good luck with your new aventures, and you are always welcome on the Barhopper anytime

[blubeast]

Popeye, as others have already said, I have sincerely appreciated your hospitality and opportunity to catch tuna on the JR3.

I sincerely wish you the best in all of your endevours and hope we cross paths in Newport again.

Thanks again Bruce and best wishes for you and your bride.

[Threemuch]

Congrats Popeye on your new direction. Tell Julie the same from me.

However, there is no way out. You can sell your boat, move inland, but you can't get away. I imagine that I might see you from time to time on Skip's boat.

I will definitely miss you guys at the end of C dock. There has to be a party for this. Where are we going to have it? I say we do it right on C dock.

[CATCH AND EAT]

Bruce this is a sad day for those of us that love to hear stories of folks that have fished with you on JR3. But all of us come to a point in life where change is good and I suspect that your new direction will begin a great journey of fulfillment and happiness.

However, I think we still need your valuable contributions here on ifish whether you are actually fishing or not.

Blessings to ya.

[wthr4d]

Bruce- Id love to say Im sorry you are selling your boat, Id love to say i will miss you, Id love to say I hope you enjoy your new life...whatever you may choose it to be.

BUT I CAN'T!!!!

No matter what you do with your boat you are a Salty Dog and for many years captianed the mothership of our confederacy. You will not be allowed to walk away this easily. So I will just say....

Welcome to the ranks the Salty Dog boat Ho's!!! you are now "Capt. Popeye, Ret." I wish you well in all your ventures of life and hope for your happiness theough all things. You and yours are good people. while I never rode the Julie rose II or III I have enjoyed many a story of fishing from a luxury liner. your generosity preceeds your reputation.

Good luck and youre welcome to share my spot on the dock anytime...we can watch the boats go out longingly together.

Paul

[corrirod]

No worries Skipper!

Congratulations on finding another great adventure!

You've still got the controls to the JR2 whenever you need some salt to go with your beef!

You can lose the boat................but you can't lose your friends.

[Miss B Haven]

Bruce- I sure hope you just check in with us once in a while. We'll miss you being a regular but REALLY miss ya if you just disappear. You're always welcome to take a ride on Miss B if you get up this way......assuming I ever get that new barn finished.

By the way- you need a couple horses to punch those cows?

[StickFish]

These guys say it all - don't know anyone on the team - or you either - but good luck:

<font color="blue"> </font>

He's seen too much of life
And there's no going back
The loneliness calls him

The smell of the earth
It's his favourite smell
But he's somehow compelled to the stinging salt hell
To the place where he hurts and he's scared
And there's no one to tell
And no one who doesn't listen

You can take all the boys and the girls in the world
And I'll trade them this morning for my sweet Ocean Cloud
I've seen too much of life
So the sea is my wife and a sweet Ocean Cloud is a mistress I'm allowed
for now

I'll be in Barbados in a couple of weeks
With a rum on the table and yarns by the yard
A story to tell and a story to save
..unless she changes her mind
I'll trade them this morning for my sweet Ocean Cloud
I've seen to much of life so the sea is my wife
And the sweet ocean clouds will look down on my boat tonight
<font color="black"> </font>

Good luck - and we will all wait with empty glasses for the yarns of the new Popeye's turn of events

Adapted from Marillion - Ocean Cloud - dedicated to a man who rowed across the Atlantic

[Bait O' Eggs]

I am glad I was able to ride on JR3 with both Bruce and Julie.

Coming back from the East side yesterday I saw the Mitchell turn off and pondered how you were doing as a cowboy

There are many forums on ifish, you can always read about somebodies salty trip, or tell about hunting experiences on the ranch, I think theres even a recipe swap section around here check in and tell us how things are going from time to time, you will always have friends here.

[San Anita]

Ive just met you guys and was hoping to get to fish with you. Keep in touch and good luck, you will be missed. You,ll never have a problem getting a ride, you will have a problem getting a ride like yours.
Hey do you want to sell your black book of fishing numbers!
I think you should auction it off. Id bid.
Bill

[kenai]

Good luck to ya Bruce. (the original salty dog).

[TillamookChinook]

Popeye,
The swordfish expedition was some of the most exciting reading ever on IFish. Thank your for bring us all that adventure.

TC

[Fishplay]

I have learned, change is inevitable. Most of the time I don't like it; and this time it's no different.

The Southbeach Marina will not be the same!

I've spent many an hour killing fish on the back deck of the Julie Rose III.

Most of it was admittedly done after dark while She was tucked into her slip :grin: but I have been to Church from there also.

I hoped to be spending more time there next year; now that I'm an official Boat Ho on the OPB plan.

Dean knows Bruce and Julie better than any of us and from my experience said it best.

Most gracious hosts. Your kindness and generosity is paramount.

I'm happy for both of you. May your new adventures be as fulfilling as your past.

Hope to see both of you at some TA meetings.

When I finally get around to replacing my boat your welcome to first and second mate that vessel.

[Popeye]

Friends…………
I have received many PM’s about this decision, and appreciate the love and discern. However, I don’t want people reading between the lines.
This decision has been ongoing for over three months.
Julie and I are doing fine…..NO problems.
I have lived by the ways of the sea for many, many years.
Still love it, and won’t entirely leave it!
Since retirement, we have tested the waters for what we might lack in adventure “After Retirement”.
The corporate life is not necessarily a friendly one, and carries a huge amount of stress…we just need to find a place where the culmination of things of our past, can give us a breath of fresh air.

We are in no way giving up the salt…..or, the Salty Dogs…..Just sellin’ the boat..for now.

Jennie, I’m very sorry about the ride, but hey….these types of boats typically take a long time to sell…there’s still a chance. BTW, don’t sell my moniker, I’m still here!

The Salty Dogs, and the people they represent, has been the best thing I’ve been involved in my entire lifetime……bar none!

We still own a 26’ Bayliner, and our son Skip has a new Trophy…..We’ll be out there!

The Julie Rose III has a very high degree of TLC and maintenance involvement…..That’s just something that I need to eradicate for now.

To expand a bit, with the recent tragedies, Julie has been less than favorable that I do the Swordfish trip this year…. (Understandable in her mind, and I love her so much)!

I guess you could say, it’s not the end…..Just a hiatus……I’ll still be around guys.

You can drain the crankcase…..but….you’ll never get all of the salt out.



And thanks so much for the concern

Popeye Out

[BUGLEMAN]

Best wishes to your and yours in all your adventures.

[jocose]

we never met and probably never will but allow me to thank you just the same.. i have only bay salt beneath my keel but one day will venture into the deep. ive lived instead thru you who dared, adventurers, salty dogs.. i am a safer smarter and better captain, fisherman and person because of men like you.. good luck sir, safe seas always...

[4 REEL]

Bruce,
I would like to thank you for the experiance of a life time. The adventures with Julie, Skip and yourself will live with me forever.
I have to admit, when I first read this thread my heart almost stopped! But I DO understand your move and will miss you guys.
Please let me know when you visit so we can toss down a few and rehash the old days. Would also like to hear how things are going at the ranch (and Julie's new horse).
BTW, how was the trip with the Boys and Girls Club folks, sure wish I coulda been there to help.

Salty Freinds ferever John

[jaysea]

We are all saddened to see you go, but it's great that you're willing to "tackle" new adventures. I never had the pleasure of meeting you personally, but I know Skip and Keith very well, and I'm sure that the apples must not have fallen very far from the tree. Good luck on your "new pastures."

JC

[RJ]

Best Wishes Bruce and Julie ....RJ

[fishbait]

Bruce,

I wish you well and if you ever want to fish the rivers you are welcome on my boat anytime.

[Onokai]

I've never met you but have read your posts for years Bruce. I hoped to one day meet at a tuna gathering. I will miss the stories but that said I wish you all the luck in the world. Your input on this board will be missed but your adventures will be remembered. Mark

[id. painter]

Good luck Bruce and Julie.
Thank you again for the tuna trip last summer .
I live in cow/tater country , it is less busy and quieter ... Enjoy the solitude and relax man.... You have earned the peace....
id. p.

[OceanBlue]

Wow, I'm off the board for a few days and come back to this absolute shock!

Bruce, Julie, I wish you the best in your endeavors! We'll all miss the 'flagship' - even if she stays in the 'family' she won't be the same without Popeye at the helm and Julie gracing her decks. :depressed:

[retaliate]

I'm shocked! :shocked: were going to miss you both, hope your new adventures are as fruitfull as the Ocean has been for you, keep us posted on your new adventures, even if not salty.