16 replies to this topic

[Kevin McKay]

How many times has fishing connected you with people you normally would have never met?

What is your story?

[cdc]

now this is not exactly meeting someone in the act of fishing ,but close enough i think it was 1986 ,me and a freind were driving down rt 27 in stratton on our way to the North branch of the dead , pulled over to help and guy that his BMW was broke down on the side of the road. turned out it was warren Zevon ,he was up at sugarloaf doing so shows , they towed the beemer we brought him back, he bought us lunch ,and we had a free concert and hung back stage with him after the shows ..pretty cool

[Kevin McKay]

Very cool!

[Aldo]

My brother guided on the Frying Pan and Roaring Fork out of a shop in Aspen for a couple of years. Ringo Star, Sandra Day O'Connor, and John Denver went fishing with him. As for me, I'm not the most social guy on the river and have never been tempted to attend a conclave or similar event, though I'm sure they are fun for all who do. As I have gotten older, I have happily taken my fishing with increasing doses of solitude mostly becuase there are only a handful of folks who like to keep the pace and hours that I do, and two of them are dogs.

[iluv2fish]

My brother guided on the Frying Pan and Roaring Fork out of a shop in Aspen for a couple of years. Ringo Star, Sandra Day O'Connor, and John Denver went fishing with him. As for me, I'm not the most social guy on the river and have never been tempted to attend a conclave or similar event, though I'm sure they are fun for all who do. As I have gotten older, I have happily taken my fishing with increasing doses of solitude mostly becuase there are only a handful of folks who like to keep the pace and hours that I do, and two of them are dogs.

sounds like me. I would fish every day if i could and i like to fish places others are to lazy to get into or to physical to get into. Lucky for me my wife likes to do the same thing. Funny thing is she is only 5'5 and 125# but i thinks shes part billy goat or something she cause she will keep pace and shes usually right on my heels. if i stop quick shes gonna stuff her flyrod right up my rear lol

[Casey B]

Kevin, online boards like this one have provided me with countless friendships and oppurtunities to meet some great people. I could never imagined when I joined my first striper forum the places it would take me. Islands like Cuttyhunk and Marthas Vineyard where we have fished the big tourny's. My house of 5 friends won 3 Grand Prizes at the Vineyard Derby over a 4 yr span. A truck and a 19ft Boston Whaler among the prizes. Fly fishing for Albies and Bass. Rivers like the Kennebec and Maine's Bays and Beaches has led me here and now I have some great friends up there that I snowmobile and fish with. Salmon River with saltwater friends which has turned into multiple trips a year and some unbelievable fishing and stories. Most of all I am grateful to know that fishermen as a whole are some of the most unselfish and extremely giving individuals I have ever met. I have seen and participated in countless charities and auctions to raise money for a fisherman's family if he was taken too young or some other unforseen hardship was brought upon them.

[PFFlyer]

I started fly fishing here and that alone and my envolvement has led me to lots of opps, both personal and business. litterally if you think of an early ice out, I still can have a conversation by name with 2/3 of the group, that is pretty cool all by itself. not to be a bummer but it is not the flyfishing or the gear or such, it is after I go home and it stays with me as a cool day. total package fun.

[RAW]

Mine starts in the Fl Keys,Mostly Ted Williams,guides like Flip Pallot,Steve Huff,Cecil Keith etc counting into the dozens,Tourneys like the Miami Met (18 yrs),Red Bone,Plantation Yacht Harbor (Bonefish,Permit,Redfish )Great Lakes Tourneys like the LOC,King of the Lake,All great experiences and many friends.And now I've gotten about a dozen or anglers from all over who vacation in Wells Me,.So its like old home week when my door is knocking at 4am.. But the site members I've gotten to know,fish with plus the freezeout has been awesome.I love to talk,but I like more to share my knowledge

[notquiteflyfishing]

about 50 years ago, my Dad was fishing with his father in barnegate bay, NJ with spinning gear. motoring around the inlet, they noticed a crowd forming up on the north side of the inlet, all surrounding one person... casting a fly rod. guess who it was; LEFTY! he was giving an unscheduled public casting demonstration on the beach. my dad and grandfather pulled up on the beach and watched Lefty demonstrate casting in the new way of "elbow on the shelf" theory. my dad got home and wanted to start immediately on what was sure to be his new obsession. cut 50 years later, and what some people would say, a lifetime of fishing, and the fly fishing show in marlboro is coming up. this would be the second time that we were going. but this time the thing that would be different is that Lefty would be there! as soon as we got in the expo center, the casting pool was in direct site with Lefty being right there giving some private casting advise. we went over and waited to "re-introduce." another man was standing next to us, and we started having a conversation about Lefty. the man said "yea, i met him about 30 years ago at an expo in new york." and as he said that, Lefty started to walk over to us, and immediately my dad came back with "yea well i got u beat! listen to this!" Lefty came over and the first thing my dad said was "I need to thank you," and the first thing that Lefty replied with was "oh dont give me that s***." (i bet he gets that a lot). my dad went on to introduce himself and recollect Lefty of the day back in 1964 at barnegate inlet.

later on in the day, it was time for Lefty to do his casting demonstration at the casting pool. and as usual, he has people cast with him, and he works on their form. and if anybody on this site seems to remember someone who casted with him on that saturday who was wearing a red hat, a black sweatshirt, and khakis, that was me! as it was time for Lefty to go to the "authors booth" to sign autographs and meet people, i got in line with my dad to get a picture, and i had a little surprise. as we got up to where he was sitting, we asked if we could take a picture. as he said it was fine, i knelt down, and immediately pulled a replica of his hat that a friend had given me, and put it on for the picture. as soon as he saw it, he started cracking up. more thank you's were said and a goodbye, which ended one of the greatest moments in my life.

[aaronb11]

I would just say that fly fishing has provided me with the opportunity to see some beautiful and unique places and things that I would never have seen otherwise. It has allowed me to tighten my relationships with good friends and my father. I've met some cool people along the way, but I would say that fly fishing has given me an appreciation of the simpler things in life and has helped me stay grounded. Recently married with a girl who enjoys the outdoors, I hope to raise our future kids to respect and enjoy the outdoors (and fly fishing!).

I would say that because of fly fishing, among other things, life is good!!!!!!!!

P.S. Thanks to all of those who have provided me with generous insights, tips, and awesome pictures to keep me yearning to learn more about this awesome hobby. It truly is a lifelong learning experience, and I'm in for the long haul!

[Stick]

I fished with a hobo on the Royal River one day helping him catch his limit.

[RAW]

I fished with a hobo on the Royal River one day helping him catch his limit.

[Kevin McKay]

Great stories,thanks
Keep them coming

[Coastal Fly Angler]

My brother guided on the Frying Pan and Roaring Fork out of a shop in Aspen for a couple of years. Ringo Star, Sandra Day O'Connor, and John Denver went fishing with him. As for me, I'm not the most social guy on the river and have never been tempted to attend a conclave or similar event, though I'm sure they are fun for all who do. As I have gotten older, I have happily taken my fishing with increasing doses of solitude mostly becuase there are only a handful of folks who like to keep the pace and hours that I do, and two of them are dogs.

Aldo

Who is your brother, I am from Basalt and guided that area for years..

[Mainiac]

I've made many new friends right here. Nothing like having a common passion for something to bring people together.I have developed what will be ,lifelong,friendships with fellow members and look forward to making many more.

[fishn_guy]

I fished with a hobo on the Royal River one day helping him catch his limit.

Was the hobo smoking a cigar?

[PFFlyer]

tall hobo with a cherry cheese cake most likely