Anglers rally for guide who supported community causes

Rick's Rods on Madeira Beach is a full-service tackle shop. Owner Rick Kopkau works the counter six days a week. He builds rods, fixes reels and sells bait, live and frozen.

Fishermen stop by on a regular basis to hear what's hot, what's not and to get the scoop on the local tournament scene. A few weeks ago, Kopkau put up a flier advertising a tournament to benefit a loyal customer, fishing guide Doug Hemmer.

"I've known Capt. Doug for a long time," he said. "Everybody knows Doug. He's done so much for the fishing community over the years."

Hemmer, a St. Petersburg Times Captains Corner correspondent and regular on WTVT-Ch. 13's "Fish and Chip" segment, has been unable to work since April because of the pain from a bulging disk in his back putting pressure on his sciatic nerve.

"Too many years of throwing a cast net," said Hemmer, 52, who no longer has medical insurance. "I can't even sit in a chair."

Hemmer's friend, Chuck MacIntyre, heard about Hemmer's plight and organized a fundraiser. Capt. Chuck, as he is known in fishing circles, made the rounds to all the local bait and tackle shops and dropped off fliers to publicize the Saturday event.

Kopkau, like dozens of others, was glad to help. He put up the flier and donated some equipment for a live auction.

"The fishing community is small, so we all try to pull together," Kopkau said. "These are tough times for everybody, so we all try to help each other out."

Over the years, Hemmer has done his share for others. In his 20 years of guiding, the St. Petersburg resident has donated dozens of charity trips to not-for-profit organizations.

"It is the least I could do," Hemmer once told me. "We all have to pull together."

Hemmer, who is single, had sought medical help for ongoing back pain over the past few years, but his insurance premiums kept escalating to the point where it became too expensive for him to maintain.

Then in April, the pain became so intense he could not work, and he struggled to pay his bills. Eventually the pain was so severe he could not sit. He would stand nearly all day, which caused his feet to swell. Hemmer was told surgery would cost him between $35,000 and $40,000.

Word spread quickly through the tight-knit fishing community. MacIntyre enlisted the support of Lynn Zirkle of TampaBayAngler.com; Nick Billias, a cameraman at Channel 13; Capt. Brad Fuller and Alan Applegarth, a local fishing author and founder of Florida InshoreAngler.com.

Others, including Hooked on Fishing TV host Bill Miller, radio legend Mel Berman and former Bucs running back Mike Alstott, also pledged their support. More than a dozen guides, including Tampa's Dave Markett and the Florida Guides Association, also agreed to help the Dreamfish Tournament, named for Hemmer's Dreamfish charters. Some donated cash, others merchandise.

"I don't know when I'll be able to fish again," said Hemmer, who had surgery the last week in September and is recovering at home. "I'd be happy to be able to walk without a walker."

Hemmer said he was moved by the outpouring of support. But the most touching gesture came not from one of the guide's friends, but from a man he never even met.

"I was in the shop and a guy came in, glanced at the tournament poster and told me that he was disappointed that he wouldn't be in town the day of the tournament," Kopkau of Rick's Rods said. "Then he reached in his pocket, pulled out a 20 and said, 'Give this to Doug.' "

MacIntyre said he wasn't surprised. "Fishermen might argue among themselves, but when somebody has a problem, they line up willing to help," he said.

Capt. Chuck hopes other anglers who hear about Hemmer's plight will lend a hand. Interested anglers can still sign up at www.florida inshoreangler.com.

"The cost is just $25, so even if they can't fish they can still register and help out a fellow fisherman," MacIntyre said.

Anglers can also register for this photo-release event from 6 to 8 tonight at Gator's Cafe and Saloon, known as Gators on the Pass in Treasure Island, which also serves as the site of the photo "weigh-in" Saturday starting at 2 p.m. Gators has agreed to donate a portion of all beverage sales to Hemmer's cause.

Terry Tomalin can be reached at (727) 893-8808.