83-year-old man catches lake record flathead
Robert Allen, 83, with his lake record flathead catfish from Fort Cobb
You are never too old to go fishing. And when you go, you never know what will happen.
Just ask 83-year-old Robert Allen, who lives near Minco.
On Thursday (June 3), Allen caught the biggest fish of his life, a 46-pound flathead catfish that is new the lake record for rod and reel on Fort Cobb Lake.
Allen was fishing with two sons and a grandson, trolling with a plug for “anything that wants to hit,” he said.
“I used to like catch black bass, but anymore I just like to catch anything I can catch. It doesn’t make any difference if it’s a little ole’ perch.”
Well, the big flathead was no perch. It weighed about half the size of Allen, who has lost 45 pounds in recent weeks because of cancer treatments. It took him about 30 minutes to land the catfish.
“We liked to not get that thing in the boat,” he said.
Catching the big flathead was one of the most thrilling moments in Allen’s life.
It is only topped by the day he married his wife, Ella Lee, and the births of their five children.
The Allens have been married “63 or 64 years,” he said.
“That’s a long time with one woman. We’ve been everywhere and had a lot of fun and we’re still going.”
For sure, they are still going fishing. Allen plans to be back on Fort Cobb this week, a lake that he helped build decades ago.
Allen only broke camp because of a doctor’s appointment or he would still be there. Cancer is not about to keep Allen from doing what he loves.
“When the Lord gets ready for you, he’s going to call you home,” he said.
“I figure everything is all right with me. I hope it is. I’m not ready to go yet. I’ve got a lot of fishing left.”
Thank you for joining our conversation on Outdoors. We encourage your discussion but ask that you stay within the bounds of our commenting and posting policy.
Comments
I have no comment,but I do think it is great for Bob to catch a fish like that.I am 66 years old,I have no legs,but I would love for someone to tell me where I could catch some catfish from the bank at Fort Cobb,my wife of 46 years will be with me,I have diabetes an heart probleums.I love to catfish, but have not been in last 11 years,Ilost are someone stole all of my rod an reels,an very little money to replace them.
Thank You,an God bless.
Wayne OK. Jim.
Wonderful article! We are so proud of our Grandpa!