Thanks, Gandolf. I had been sitting here amazed that my post had over 240 readers without a single response, as Fred's friendliness and generosity to the fly fishing community were just too wide and deep for that to happen. No better man or finer gentleman has ever walked the earth, IMHO.

I last saw Fred at a fly fishing gathering in May. He was ill and a bit weak, not yet diagnosed with the widespread cancer that would kill him. He only fished with his son for about 2 hours in the morning and, if he could handle it, 2 in the afternoon. Still, he caught more fish than any other attendee. He smiled a lot, laughed a lot, and was as generous with his woodworking, flies and advice as ever. It will remain a happy memory for me.

Brad