Some of you have been with us since the beginning – 2005. Others are new to our reports. This report is to serve as an update, by way of explanation, as to why we haven't published reports since April.

 

I'll keep this brief. In mid-April, I began to get quite ill. By the beginning of May, I nearly lost my life to renal (kidney) failure. I've been hospitalized on and off four times now, just coming home to my family two days ago. I hope now, and pray fervently, that the worst is behind me. I'm not yet strong enough to return to work, but have hopes of doing so – mostly on a social basis – next week. Once I'm back in the mix, I'll do my best to begin to bring you regular updates as in the past.

 

All I ask is for your patience and perhaps for your prayers for me, my family and for our business to persevere through this. My wife and I believe that we'll come out of this on the other side stronger than we were when it began.

If you have an opportunity to come by our store in Clearlake, we would love to hear from you. My wife Brianna, Jerry and Nicole have done a phenomenal job keeping things running in my absence.

And to those of you who have been so supportive the last few months, all we can offer is our sincere gratitude. Your love and kindness have blessed us enormously. I miss you all.

 

Bob Rider is owner of Lakeshore Bait & Tackle in Clearlake, Calif.