About the same time in 2019 that I retired from B.A.S.S. — after 40-plus years with the organization — Toby Keith released his hit single, “Don’t Let the Old Man In.”
That song instantly resonated with me.
I had just turned 70 and was contemplating retirement and a slew of other life changes, and I was determined to make the most of my “golden” years.
Keith said he was inspired to write the song by a conversation he had with Clint Eastwood during a golf tournament. The actor was about to turn 87 at that time and Keith asked his friend how he managed to be so active and productive at that age.
“I just don’t let the old man in,” Eastwood answered.
Keith soon penned the lyrics, which read in part:
“When he rides up on his horse
And you feel that cold bitter wind
Look out your window and smile
Don’t let the old man in.”
As we get older (as my doctor likes to say), it’s tempting to turn inward, to feel sorry that time has rushed by, to focus on the number of years left instead of the fulfillment they might bring.
Unless a person is intentional about getting the most out of life, it’s easy to let age slip up on him. I saw that happen in others, and I didn’t want to be that guy.
I didn’t want to become the impatient, self-centered, angry old man who couldn’t enjoy life. I didn’t want to be focused on ailments and physical limitations. And as much as anything, I didn’t want to lose interest in fishing.
Younger B.A.S.S. members may think that last pitfall will never afflict them, but I assure you, bass apathy is a thing.
I first noticed it in my father when he entered his 70s. As a younger man, he was passionate about bass fishing, and he was good at it. He instilled the love of the sport in me when I was a boy, and for that I am forever grateful. I have a couple of “possumbelly” tackleboxes filled with his old lures; they are a testament to his dedication to fishing.
There came a time when I couldn’t get him to go fishing with me. He didn’t even try to make excuses. “I just don’t feel like going,” he would say.
I’ve seen other friends go through something similar. Fishing no longer seems worth the effort. The fire no longer burns.
Sometimes the cause is a clinical condition. It’s called “anhedonia,” an inability to experience pleasure in an activity that used to be enjoyable. It can be a symptom of depression and other mental health disorders, as well as some neurological conditions. If you think you have anhedonia, seek medical help.
But in other situations, when a person simply loses interest in hobbies and other activities, it may just be a matter of letting “the old man” take control of his life.
I was determined to prevent that from happening. I put into practice the advice of experts on aging: to stay physically active, maintain a healthy lifestyle, eat right, sleep well, nurture good relationships, count your blessings and do things that bring joy — like fishing.
Because the experts say it’s important to try new things, I’m embracing forward-facing sonar. Not only does the technology challenge my ability to learn new skills, but it also helps me cope with the “old man” tendency to judge others; I can’t call it cheating anymore.
Now, I’m fishing as often as I can and enjoying it more than I thought possible. I’m grateful for that. I’m determined not to lose the drive to get outdoors.
One of Keith’s last performances included his singing these words from “Don’t Let the Old Man In”:
“And I knew all of my life
That someday it would end
Get up and go outside
Don’t let the old man in.”