ALABASTER, Ala. — The world seemed to be crashing down on former Bassmaster competitor and longtime guide Reed Montgomery when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in November 2014.
Because his wife, Margie, had lost her job prior to Reed being diagnosed with cancer, the Montgomerys also lost their health insurance. The cancer kept Montgomery from working and, as the medical bills continued to pile up, he was scheduled for surgery in January. In order to help Montgomery raise funds for medical and living expenses, a YouCaring website was established for the Alabama guide, and one of his sponsors, Airport Marine, held a benefit tournament for him on Lay Lake last December.
A Whipple procedure removing the tumors from his pancreas was performed on Montgomery Jan. 20, and now the world looks much brighter for the 63-year-old guide.
“I think they caught it early and I might be one of the fortunate ones,” Montgomery said. “When all of this is over and done, I am hoping they will say I am cancer-free and I can just go on with my regular life. I have three or four more chemo sessions and I am through with it.
“I am just glad to be alive.”
The Alabama angler competed in 10 B.A.S.S. events from 1993 to 2002. He fished in seven invitationals and opens and was a co-angler in three Bassmaster Top 100 events. He owns Reed’s Guide Service, which he claims is “Alabama’s oldest professional freshwater fishing guide service” after having been in business for more than 40 years. The veteran guide was also the source for a Bassmaster Magazine preview on the Bassmaster Classic held at Lay Lake.
Montgomery is also an outdoor writer whose articles have appeared in various magazines and more than a dozen fishing websites. He also writes articles for his website.
Bouncing back from the surgery, Montgomery started guiding again in May.
“I am doing OK,” said Montgomery, who has been able to handle full-day trips. “The chemotherapy is just intravenous, but it makes my stomach ache a lot.”
Montgomery now has health insurance, but he still owes more than $40,000 in medical bills for the time he was without coverage.
“We are struggling like everybody else, but we are doing OK,” he said. “We are going to make it.”
To make a donation to help Montgomery pay his medical bills, go to his YouCaring site, or mail a check or money order in his name to: Reed Montgomery, 141 Reese Drive, Alabaster, AL 35007.
