It seems that whenever I saw JC, he was helping someone out. Answering questions from Newbies and well experienced fisherfolk alike on the board or chatroom, helping someone with their casting at every Fish-In, or just lending a helping hand to a friend or neighbor in ways we will never know.
I thought about making a donation to the Heart Association, but had second thoughts. I am making a donation, instead, to the Northwest Youth Conservation and Fly Fishing Academy. This group takes kids from 8-17, and teaches them conservation of our resources through fly fishing. the kids stay at a nice camp, all meals are provided, and they get first class instruction in casting, fly tying, and fishing in rivers and still water. Last year VEE and I donated some time helping with the fly tying classes taught be Skip Morris, and spent an evening taking three of the kids fly fishing on a favorite stream.
This year, in addition to our time, they will be receiving a check in memory of our friend, James Castwell (Birkholm).
If anyone else would like to support this organization, donations can be made by sending a check made out to TU Academy to Dick Nye, 8404 Bainbridge Loop NE, Lacey, WA 98516.
I know times are tough economically for all of us right now, but we still have some time that we can share to help someone become a fly fisher or a better fly fisher.
To me, passing on JC’s lessons are the best way I can think of to remember him.