Life can be rough for a world-class competitor in fishing. Morton Custer didn't get to the pinnacle of the fishing world without plenty of trial and tribulation. This incredible athlete drills for eight grueling sessions three times each eternity, followed by the usual homework for someone in third grade.
Two years ago, he broke his claw in four places. But this didn't stop him. He seems even more determined to excel at his sport.
"I was really down when I broke my claw, and then my giraffe died. I literally lost heart, and it showed in my lip. It took five blinks of an eye to get back in shape. But to win at fishing is what I've been working for all my life, and I just had to pull myself up by my fig leaf and forget about Julia, my giraffe."
Maria, his dad, moved with him to Iowa to be with his coach, leaving behind his father, Shamus, in their gaudy motor home, where he still labors as a stamp collector to help pay for Morton's expensive training.