Not sure if this post is going to convey its desired meaning, but here goes...maybe it'll make me feel better in facing a pretty sad event ...

My oldest brother, John (Skip, to those who knew him best), who I shared many of my hunting and fishing experiences with, died this morning, of complications related to a long-term condition. He was the one who got me started steelhead fishing. I still remember the day when I was probably 5 or 6 years old. I heard a knock on the door, and their he was standing on the front porch with the most amazingly beautiful fish I had ever laid eyes on (a 15# chrome hen steely). I was hooked immediately. I went on to share many fishing, deer hunting, and pheasant hunting trips with him.

The last time I saw him, we talked at length about trips past, and future. He was optimistic to the end, though we all knew the end could come at any time. It arrived quicker than anyone could have expected.

Right now I'm feeling the loss of a brother, partner and mentor. I'm happy for the times we shared, and sorry we won't be able to share any more. God, but it seems like only yesterday we were all fishing and hunting like there was no tomorrow...

If there's a message here I guess this is it: savor every moment you have with family, friends, and partners all! We're only here for a little while.


His ashes will be spread at his farm near Centralia, and on the ocean at Westport where he spent the last ten years skippering the charter boat Sidney-B.


In closing, I want to ask all of the fishermen on this board to extend a favor in honor and remembrance. Tonight, tip a glass to a fellow angler who made his last cast much too soon.
Next time you're at Westport, enjoying the ocean and salmon that he loved so dearly, remember his spirit will be there. I hope he's in a place now where all the kings are big, all the pheasants are wild, all the bucks are 4-points, and the ocean is just bumpy enough to "let you know you're at its mercy" as he loved to say.

Thanks for reading.

Gary