Ernie Wuesthoff is gone

[bababooey]

He died Mon Jan 25. What a character he was. RIP Ernie.

http://obits.nj.com/obituaries/starl...&pid=138983940
Ernest Wuesthoff Jr.

Ernest Wuesthoff Jr., fisherman and owner of "The Bait 'n' Tackle Shop" in Normandy Beach since 1962, passed away on Monday. He was 84. He was known as "Ernie" to all who encountered him. Ernie was a lifelong resident of New Jersey. He went to school in Union City, and then joined the Navy. He was proud to serve his country in World War II. Ernie learned to fish soon after he could walk. He would watch his father play baseball at Hudson County Park, and he soon stumbled upon the fishermen lining the banks of the Hudson River.

Ernie would swear that, at age four, he spotted his first fish swimming by prior to catching it. Ernie, like many of his peers, had to grow up fast. He took his first job at a bait and tackle shop when he was just 7 years old. He credits shop owner, Muriel Owens, with much of his fishing prowess and business savvy.

While Ernie never cared as much about baseball as his father and his younger brother, George, did, it was Ernie who would cross paths with one of the greatest ballplayers of all time, Ted Williams. Ernie and Ted were stationed in Pensacola, Fla., in the 40s. The two bonded quickly over their love of fishing. They were also both skilled gunsmiths. Ernie and Ted fished together for many years after their military service ended. Ernie opened his first shop "Cliffside Rod and Gun" in 1946.

However, Ernie always had his eye on the Jersey shore, and in 1962, he opened up shop in Normandy Beach. At that time "The Bait 'n' Tackle Shop" was the only game in town.

He built a reputation as an honest, knowledgeable fisherman. He loved to teach people the joy of fishing, especially children. Generations of fishermen have learned from him. His students have returned year after year with their children and grandchildren, hoping Ernie would impart a bit of his wisdom. His fishing stories have become almost legendary. While Ernie could talk a big game, he could certainly back it up. He knew his stretch of sand better than anyone. If you met Ernie on the beach, he would be sure to point you in the right direction, hand you the best lure, then head off the beach to help his wife, Charlene, at the shop. He just wanted everyone to love fishing as much as he did.

Ernie loved to quote famous authors and poets. Oliver Wendell Holmes was among his favorites. Holmes once said, "Every calling is great, when greatly pursued." Ernie found his calling at an early age, and in his pursuit, he achieved greatness. Ernie's contribution to those lucky enough to know him will last forever.

Ernie is survived by his wife, Charlene Wuesthoff of Brick; his daughters, Holly Crespo of Brick, Jeanne Merry of Toms River, and Paula Robinson of Iowa; his son, Steven Wuesthoff of Toms River; his two grandsons, William and Michael Wuesthoff, and his brother, George Wuesthoff of Atlantic Highlands. Viewing hours are from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. with a prayer service being offered at 8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 29, 2010, at Weatherhead Young Funeral Home, 885 Mantoloking Rd., Brick, NJ 08723, (732) 920-1811.

[basshunter]

Thoughts and prayers for the family.

[DarkSkies]

Boy, was it painful to read that. Ernie has been around for forever. You could always count on a good story when you went into his shop in Normandy Beach. A lot of people said they were fish stories, but to me I didn't care. They were great stories just the same.

Whether you had a good or bad day fishing, even if no one else was catching, Ernie would always have something good to say. Some might call him an eternal optimist, some might say he was just trying to sell tackle.

I think the real thing that Ernie did for lots of people, other than provide reports and decent intel, was to give them a link to the past. He was never too busy, never too cranky, never wanted to push you out of the store so he could go on to the next customer.

I went to his store for years just to buy his hand-tied teaser rigs. Other stores closer by had them also. I didn't have to go to Ernie's for them. But buying them from him, I was guaranteed a colorful fish story or 2 if he was there.

In recent years he was less involved in the management of the store. His years crept up on him, but he would never tell you that. His wife and granddaughter Holly did most of the day to day stuff, and he even taught Holly how to make the hand-tied teaser rigs as it became too much for his arthritic hands.

Ernie was not one to complain. He may have had some health problems but you never heard him talk about it. He seemed to me to be a guy who always minimized that side of things.

Instead he would tell you his fish tales! As he was telling them, you would think to yourself, man this story is a whopper, he has to be exaggerating, just a bit? But it didn't matter. He told all his stories with such a flourish that you couldn't help but hang on every word. At least, that's the way it was for me when I went in there.

I always told people, if you go in there, make sure you give yourselves an extra 10 or 15 minutes, because you want to hear some of those fish stories.

As I reflect back on those stories, I realize for me it was less about the stories themselves, than the man telling them. His enthusiasm and love of fishing shone through every time, even as he approached his 80's.

Here's something I said about him a few years ago. we ran into him on the beach, and he was smoking like a chimney. At his age he wasn't willing to give that up, and besides, doesn't a man who makes it to his 80's deserve a few vices?

"Ernie Wuesthoff came out to make a few casts today, and have a smoke. God I love that guy - he's 82, and still fishes every chance he gets. If you ever go to see him, bring him some Marlboros, can't hurt him at 82 . He is truly an icon of surf fishing."








I had mentioned him in the past, but felt it was time to visit him for an update. I was in touch with his family around New Year's. He agreed to do an interview. I gave them a list of prepared questions to make it easier on him. The last I remember we were going to touch base again sometime in January. Now I see he didn't make it to the end of the month.

I missed my last chance to see him, and I regret it. He was a gentle old soul who lived the rough and tumble life of a sailor, hard living until he finally settled down. But through his whole life, he was a guy who could not be tamed. He lived by the rules of society, but he didn't let that define him.

To anyone reading this, I would say if there is someone in your life you haven't touched base with in a while and you feel bad about it, or have just been too busy, re-consider your perspective, and call or see that person while you still can.

Tomorrow is never a guarantee for any of us. There are so many people all of us know whose lives and smiles could be brightened with just a simple phone call. All it takes is a few minutes.

2 days ago I called a family friend who I haven't talked to for a few months. He's in his 80's too, and still goes skiing. He just came back from a mini-vacation, a ski trip. He doesn't take long vacations because he's still working. His energy seems boundless, but only God knows how long he and others we know will be around.

So make that call, take a 1/2 hour to visit, you may be glad you did.




As for Ernie, I will miss you. I thank you for the stories you told me and all the advice you gave along the way. To me, you were one of the true icons of surf fishing. My deepest condolences to his family. RIP Ernie. See ya on the other side.

[finchaser]

RIP my old friend

He always had a kind word and a heart of gold, and lets not forget there were always fish just across the road.

Ernie was the originator of the Sneaky Pete fluke rig used exclusively in the surf.
One of the most effective bait rigs ever, written about by Milt Rosco in many of his books and how to articles.

[storminsteve]

Rip

[jigfreak]

He seemed like a good guy. I didn't know him as a friend or anything like that, but he had reports about the fish he caught when ever you walked in the place. He was funny too. I didn't realize he was that old. He had a good run. Thoughts and prayers to the family.

[fishinmission78]

RIP my old friend

He always had a kind word and a heart of gold, and lets not forget there were always fish just across the road.

Ernie was the originator of the Sneaky Pete fluke rig used exclusively in the surf.
One of the most effective bait rigs ever, written about by Milt Rosco in many of his books and how to articles.

RIP in memoriam Ernie. Thanks for the sneaky pete pic FC. He was a hell of a character. Miss him

[nitestrikes]

Rip