Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of spending a lot of time with fishing guides. These hard-working men and women make their living on the water and that’s where their unique skills create lifelong memories for their clients. Many of my most unforgettable times on the water have been in the company of guides, writing about their exploits and exploring their special worlds.
Guides and the fraternity of friends that share this passion really stand out and stand up when it comes to helping a fellow guide in need. Captain Aaron Lowman grew up in his father and mother’s tackle shop on Anna Maria Island. Starting in the late 80s, Bill and Jennifer Lowman grew Island Discount Tackle into “the” Island tackle shop. That’s where Aaron soaked up the stories and the exploits of Island guides like Captain Tom Chaya and Captain Todd Romine. Captain Justin Moore worked at the shop in the late 90s and would take young Aaron fishing on weekends. Island Discount Tackle was all about Island kids and ran a popular fishing tournament, “Fishing the Islands,” that supported The Center of Anna Maria Island. The Lowman’s generosity was extended to Island anglers who would come in weekly to pay tabs. Moore remembers the Lowmans as “big-hearted; when I got my captain’s license, they congratulated me and gave me a generous bonus to help start my business.”
As the old adage goes, “The apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree.” It’s appropriate that their son, Aaron, would grow up to become a respected guide himself. Aaron and his wife, Danielle, had their first son, Will, just six weeks ago. Then the unthinkable happened as Aaron was felled by a brain aneurism on Thursday, June 17. It was a windy day and Aaron had canceled his tarpon trip, moving his angler to another day. He had talked to his dad, Bill, that morning as they did most every day. Then there was the second call from Danielle – the call no father ever wants to get. Aaron had collapsed and when Bill arrived, the paramedics were there working on him.
Today, Aaron is at the University of Florida’s Shands Memorial in Gainesville fighting for his life and the family faces an uncertain future. At the suggestion of Captain Justin Moore, Bill and Jennifer set up a GoFundMe page to help with the medical expenses, mortgage payments, newborn expenses, household expenditures, boat, and myriad other costs they face. All funds will be deposited directly into Aaron and Dani’s personal bank account. Bill and Jennifer in their own words have been “overwhelmed with the support of the local angling community.” It’s an honor to be associated with a community that puts all things great and small aside to help friends in need. Please pass the word to others and donate to help this family that has always supported our islands.
