From lonely Ray to Australia's most popular fishing date: Lonely Gumtree widower hits Sydney Harbour for another fishing trip - after the pensioner's regular buddy died

  • Adelaide man Ray Johnstone 75, posted on Gumtree looking for a fishing buddy 
  • The pensioner's friend had recently died and he did not want to fish alone
  • He placed an advert on the classifieds website seeking for a new fishing buddy
  • The elderly man went on an idyllic trip around Sydney Harbour on Sunday
  • Kind strangers raised money to fly Mr Johnstone to Sydney for a fishing trip

By Cindy Tran for Daily Mail Australia

Published: | Updated:

A widower searching for a fishing buddy on Gumtree to replace his late friend has gone on an idyllic trip around Sydney Harbour.

Ray Johnstone, 75, placed an advert on the classifieds website seeking a new friend to head out to sea with him after his fishing buddy died.

Within days, the Adelaide man was flooded with responses after he caught the attention of several fishermen from around the country.

And on Sunday, he was treated to another trip of a lifetime after kind strangers raised money to take the humble pensioner on a fishing trip in Sydney.

Avid fisherman Joe Forza, 32, and his friend Zac Shahin threw a line out to Australia's fishing expert Alistair McGlashan to have him on their boat.

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Ray Johnstone, 75, (pictured) went on another fishing trip around Sydney Harbour on Sunday

Ray Johnstone, 75, (pictured) went on another fishing trip around Sydney Harbour on Sunday

The Adelaide pensioner and Alistair McGlashan (right) bonded over their love for fishing

The Adelaide pensioner and Alistair McGlashan (right) bonded over their love for fishing

Avid fisherman Joe Forza, 32, (right) and his friend Zac Shahin (left) raised nearly $1,600 on GoFundMe to cover Mr Johnstone's airfares and accommodation around Sydney

Avid fisherman Joe Forza, 32, (right) and his friend Zac Shahin (left) raised nearly $1,600 on GoFundMe to cover Mr Johnstone's airfares and accommodation around Sydney

'Morning started off a little slow and didn't pick up as much as we wanted to [but] it was great,' Mr Forza told Daily Mail Australia.

'We didn't get to find any big Sydney kingfish but we still had a good time out there.'

The group of men bonded over their love for fishing as they set sail around the water.

The fishing trip comes after Mr Forza and his friend raised nearly $1,600 on GoFundMe to cover Mr Johnstone's airfares and accommodation.

'Naturally, when I saw his ad, it made me want to put a smile on his face,' Mr Forza told Daily Mail Australia.

'I had a couple friends donated a decent amount. But we had plenty of other donations from across the world. He really did reach so many with his story.

'And what better place to go fishing than Sydney Harbour?'

The group of men bonded over their love for fishing as they set sail around Sydney Harbour

The group of men bonded over their love for fishing as they set sail around Sydney Harbour

Mr McGlashan, Australia's fishing expert, spent the weekend fishing with Mr Johnstone

Mr McGlashan, Australia's fishing expert, spent the weekend fishing with Mr Johnstone

Kind strangers raised money to take the humble pensioner on a fishing trip in Sydney

Kind strangers raised money to take the humble pensioner on a fishing trip in Sydney

The latest adventure comes after Mr Johnstone went on a fishing trip with Mati Batsinilas, 22, from Brisbane, after the young man responded to the ad.

The pair managed to reel in a number of massive whiting at Stradbroke Island after Mr Johnstone flew from Adelaide earlier this month.

Mr Johnstone made headlines after he posted an advertisement on the online classifieds website seeking for a fellow angler.

'What I want is a fishing mate in a similar position to myself who also wants someone to go fishing with,' he wrote.

The former toolmaker and quality control officer said he usually went fishing from land and had all the gear, but was happy to head out on the water.

He even offered to pay all the ramp fees if his new mate had a boat, in addition to splitting petrol, bait and other costs.

Mr Johnstone's ad, including a photo of himself and picturesque shots of his favourite fishing spots, was viewed more than 15,000 times.

Mr Johnstone on his first fishing trip with Mati Batsinilas after placing an advert on Gumtree

Mr Johnstone on his first fishing trip with Mati Batsinilas after placing an advert on Gumtree

The pensioner turned to the classifieds site seeking a fishing buddy to replace his late friend

The pensioner turned to the classifieds site seeking a fishing buddy to replace his late friend

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