George Smith smiles while fishing with his friend Ed Pineau on Webber Pond on Wednesday. Smith, a longtime Kennebec Journal columnist and former SAM director George Smith has been battling with ALS.

Ed Pineau holds up a black crappie caught by George Smith on Webber Pond on Wednesday. Smith, a longtime Kennebec Journal columnist and former SAM director George Smith has been battling with ALS. He can cast and reel his line, but needs help taking the fish off and baiting his lure.

George Smith fishes with his friend Ed Pineau on Webber Pond on Wednesday, May 9, 2018. Smith, a longtime Kennebec Journal columnist and former SAM director George Smith has been battling with ALS. He can cast and reel his line, but needs help taking the fish off and baiting his lure.

George Smith casts his line while fishing with his friend Ed Pineau on Webber Pond on Wednesday. Smith, a longtime Kennebec Journal columnist and former SAM director George Smith has been battling with ALS.

Portland Press Herald outdoors reporter Deirdre Fleming helps George Smith into the boat of Ed Pineau while heading out fishing on Webber Pond on Wednesday. Smith, a longtime Kennebec Journal columnist and former SAM director George Smith has been battling with ALS.

George Smith casts his line while fishing with his friend Ed Pineau on Webber Pond on Wednesday. Smith, a longtime Kennebec Journal columnist and former SAM director George Smith has been battling with ALS.

George Smith casts his line while fishing with his friend Ed Pineau on Webber Pond on Wednesday. Smith, a longtime Kennebec Journal columnist and former SAM director George Smith has been battling with ALS. He can cast and reel his line, but needs help taking the fish off and baiting his lure.