True, it could have been done better
Yes, I agree that this might have been handled better. Taking a sick day from work is a common occurrence, although it typically goes more smoothly than this.
After sending a second text, the jig was instantly up, and there’s a strong likelihood that the day of fishing fun was canceled, some PTO was taken, or the manager and employee had to have a lengthy discussion about being a responsible worker. Or at the very least, one that is honest about the reasons for his absence on a particular day.