Aju Business Daily

San Francisco, USA - Ray Johnstone is a 75-year-old Australian man who has been widowed. He posted a classified ad on Gumtree asking for a new fishing mate because his wife is gone now. 

His post garnered thousands of views and hashtag #iwillfishwithray started trending soon after. Mati Batsinilas, one of many who saw the ad, took it to another level by offering Johnstone and his grandson to join his three-day-long family trip in Stradbroke Island and paid for all their expenses.
 
Johnstone finally got the new fishing mate, and Batsinilas posted on his Facebook page of their story.

The post reads, "The trip was based off what we would do as Bats brothers.... only this time, we had a couple of extra brothers, Ray and his grandson Ivan. Whilst on the island we covered, four wheel driving, site seeing, fishing, swimming, chats with the locals and the best of all.. just relaxing and chatting like mates." 

Batsinilas' post has garnered over 3,000 views since it was posted. It was shared over 180 times. 

Since their story went viral this month, Johnstone has received outpouring supports from fishing communities. He got more than enough new fishing mates who are eager to take him out and be part of his life. 

To be part of Ray Johnstone's fishing journey, visit his Facebook page.
 
Reporter Min Jung Kwak =abiel@ajunews.com