In a tragic but often repeated story, a local surf caster drowned yesterday evening in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Leonard Joseph Ronan, Jr., was fishing at Little Lagoon Pass when the sand gave way beneath him and he was pulled out into the Gulf of Mexico. Having fished many times at the Pass, I can attest to the treacherous current there. On a strong outgoing tide, the sand shifts so quickly that there seems to be no bottom. I did not know Mr. Ronan, but as a lawyer in my office said when insisting that we attend the funeral of a fellow attorney who had passed away, “He was a brother.”
I am reminded of words written by William Humphrey in his essay “On Great Point.” Humphrey observed:
Now, surf casters are men of stamina, rugged and adventurous, ready for anything. Theirs is not a gentle and contemplative recreation. They rise in darkness, drive distances, fish in the worst weather. Of all the many subspecies of fishermen, they take the greatest risks; in fact, they are downright reckless, even foolhardy. Numbers of them, breasting the breakers, invading the surf, seeking to extend their cast a few feet to reach a school of feeding fish, are swept to sea and lost each year, leaving widows and orphans to mourn them.
God’s peace be with you, brother Ronan, and also with your loved ones.
4 responses so far ↓
1 Theresa // May 14, 2008 at 5:35 pm
Greg saw the article in our paper about this tragic accident. He hid it from me until he could read it all and get the facts. He was so afraid that it might be you. Once again, you’ve scared two old people half to death. As if hurricanes and sharks aren’t bad enough, now I’ve got to worry about undertow!!!
2 armchairoutfitter // May 14, 2008 at 7:41 pm
I confine my wading at Little Lagoon Pass to the lagoon side. The tide rips along on the lagoon side as well, but about the worst that can happen if the sand shifts on you is that you take a dunking. Good thing my billfold is always in a ziplock bag!
3 K.Ronan // May 21, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Thank you for the article about my brother Joe’s tragic death.
Joe loved to fish more than anything. He grew up fishing the Coosa River north of Wetumpka, my grandparents had a house on the water. I can’t tell you how many rods and reels were given to him as gifts for various occasions. The day he died he was trying out a new lure.
Joe was a poet and wrote many poems about water, the sea, and it’s strength. He had seen a man drown before, he never forgot it.
All I can say is get out there and fish and enjoy this beautiful world….
4 armchairoutfitter // May 21, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Dear Mr. or Ms. Ronan:
I am truly sorry for your loss. I hope that my words are in some way a comfort to you and to your family. If you ever feel like sharing any of that poetry, please e-mail me. I would be honored to read it even if you would rather not share it with the reading public.
Leave a Comment