I returned home from an appointment in town late Friday afternoon to find a package on the doorstep from Rick Zieger. I brought it into the house, put away my stuff and opened the package. I didn't know what those of you who were involved in this wonderful surprise knew when you decided to provide me with a fly rod I can hopefully use this spring, it was a complete surprise. I had a good cry and tried to write something to you all here on the BB and I couldn't do it. Forgive me for not responding immediately, but frankly I have been very upset to not be able to fish. I suppose that sounds very silly to non-flyfishers, but the last 15 years of my life have revolved around this website and fly fishing. The shoulder problems, Jim's untimely death and the realization that Jim had left me with a very dire financial situation did not leave me in a very good emotional state. Without Neil's understanding and uncompromising sense of doing the right thing I am sure I would have been lost, he literally saved my life - along with this website.

Thank you all for caring and finding a way to get though to me that my input here is still valuable to you.

I will indeed fish the rod, we are investigating proper flies and methods I can use when we get back to Montana in April (not that long away.) I have permission of sorts from a big-name shoulder specialist here to go ahead and fish. The new rod will no doubt advance that quickly! I know "thank you" doesn't sound like a whole lot, but it does come from my heart.

Hugs,
LadyFisher