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Widower posts ad for a new fishing partner, hooks the internet’s heart

He took to Gumtree after his former ‘fishing mate’ passed away.

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Jessica Machado

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When an Austrailian widower’s fishing buddy recently passed away, he did what many do in their time of need—he turned to the internet. 

Ray Johnstone of Lewiston placed an ad on Gumtree, an Australian classified service much like Craigslist, looking for a new fishing partner. 

“I’m a widowed pensioner who is looking for a fishing mate,” he wrote, including photos of where he likes to fish. “My previous fishing mate is now deceased. I am a land-based fisherman. I have all the gear for all types of fish that is required for land-based fishing.”

Photo via Gumtree/Ray Johnstone

According to Nine.com.au, Johnstone’s straightforward, heart-tugging ad was viewed 13,000 times in a single week. “Gumtree called me and said the ad went viral,” he said.

And all those views brought his quest a happy ending: He found a fishing buddy “who’s reasonably local.” Even if this guy doesn’t work out, there’s an entire internet who will accompany him in spirit.

H/T Mashable

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