Two men from opposite sides of the globe, who met by chance on a fishing trip, are sharing some quality time together this week in Emporia and the surrounding areas.
George Sleezer, of Emporia, and Chris Wilkes, of Cairnes, Australia, met four years ago at Glacier National Park in Montana. They were both there at the same time and by chance they met and struck up a friendship that developed into pen pals from across the world and this week, a visit from Wilkes to see Sleezer. This week the two friends are traveling in the Flint Hills and around the area on various fishing trips — just like the time they met.
Wilkes, who is a boat maker by trade in Australia, said he and his sons first met Sleezer at Glacier Park. He said he was fishing with his sons and wasn’t having much luck. Since the fish were not coming to him, Wilkes wandered out into the snow melt in his jeans. Sleezer happened to see the ill-equipped fisherman and spoke to Wilkes’ sons. He found out that Wilkes, who was attempting to fly fish, wasn’t having any luck. When Sleezer approached he found Wilkes didn’t have much gear because of Australia’s strict regulations on what can be brought into the country. Anything purchased in the states would have to stay in the states.
“He (Sleezer) offered me his gear,” Wilkes said. “We went out and flicked a fish.”
Wilkes said Sleezer is a picture-perfect ambassador for the United States by offering up his gear, his hospitality and his friendship.
“When you think about it a stranger walks up to you out of the blue and says ‘come on, lets go fishing,’” Wilkes said.
Sleezer, who was camping with his grandson at Madison campground, said he decided to go down and continue fishing when his grandson wanted to cook and read rather than fish. That’s when he met Wilkes’ sons and realized that Wilkes wasn’t having any luck fishing.
“In a few minutes here comes Chris walking knee-deep in snow-melt,” Sleezer said. “He’s so cold.”
After returning back to camp, the two realized they were camped right across from each other. Sleezer offered to take Wilkes to the fish, which had to be reached by wearing waders and using a tube to float out to them. After some persuasion, Wilkes agreed to go, borrowing Sleezer’s grandson’s gear. Once out there, Wilkes caught an 18-inch rainbow trout.
Back at camp, Wilkes and his family were preparing to cook his catch, but they lacked seasonings. Once again Sleezer offered his assistance by providing the lemon pepper sauce and teaching them to make campfire coffee.
“The rest of the trip my kids said I had to stop saying (George’s) name,” Wilkes said, with a laugh. “Every time we’d have good coffee or use that hamburger mix, I’d say ‘Thank God for George.’”
The next day, the two families had supper together.
“We had all the goodies,” Sleezer said, with a chuckle. “What are the chances? I think he’s a neat guy. He’s very interesting.”
That night they sat around the campfire, told stories and the next day, the Sleezers left, but the newfound friends exchanged addresses and for the years following exchanged letters, calls, e-mails and gear such as pocket knives. Wilkes said one of the first things he received from Sleezer, who is a bit of a knife buff, was a fillet knife.
Sleezer said having Wilkes visit him at his home is like a dream come true. This week they are living out their dream by fishing and just spending time together. Tuesday afternoon, in the pouring rain west of Emporia, they made their first fishing trip.
On the first cast, each caught a wide mouth bass.