JC died of a massive heart attack at the clinic on Crooked Island, Bahamas. I didn’t want to day to pass without note. I’ve written about that day and the consequences for my next column. Stay tuned for the rest of the story.
Hugs,
LF
I so remember talking to you that night … things you said have never left me.
I love you, Dee.
Sorry you had to go through that Deanna.
MontanaMoose
I lost a friend & mentor. The time he & I spent casting will never leave me…Priceless!
Mike
My thoughts are with you today.
All the very best.
Mike
Deanna,
It’s a milestone for sure. The milestones I like to mark are the times I had a chance to chat with Jim, and the times he showed me how easy it is to cast a fly rod. I am especially fond of the memory of serving dinner to you and Jim in our cabin at the Idaho Fish-In. Dutch Oven pizza flavored lasagna, and great company. Thanks for the memories.
Deanna,
Our Thought’s are with You.
Bill and Jean
I can recall my first reaction to a post regarding Jim’s passing. I thought it was a “morbid joke” and promptly rebuked the poster for his/her insensitivity. BUT, not for long was it a “morbid joke”. It was a sad reality. In my mind it’s as if he is still among us. Once cantankerous and then when he found his meds, quite the gentle Jim :). I had the pleasure of meeting him in person and in some cases as maestro, superman etc. and even as himself . I miss him very much. I know he rests in peace.
Mark
Deanna,
Jim still rattles around in my head at times. I don’t don’t know that I’ll ever be able to eat yellow perch again without thinking of dining with y’all at Gates Lodge. I don’t think that I want to. Before meeting you two at Gates Lodge, I had never considered the words “yellow perch” and “comfort food” together.
As I grow older (or at least farther into middle age) I sometimes feel the weight of memories of family and friends who have gone on. It used to feel like a burden until I realized that without that weight, my life truly would have been empty.
Ed
Ma’m , Ladyfisher,
Hugs from west Texas
Not everyone knows that when Jim did this demo, his back was broken. Well, cracked anyway.
To be honest, this thread took me by surprise. It doesn’t seem like a year has already passed since my friend departed this world for the next. I remember those things he taught me and I try to pass them along to others. Seems like the best way to remember his kindness and generousity.
REE
Big hug from our family in SW Indiana.
Ive read this thread at least 5 times and tried to post three, Jim was a great Man and Teacher. it was amazing the amount of knowledge he could pass on in a 5 minute conversation in a parking lot. I was lucky to have three or four of those five minute conversations.
Eric
His voice echos in my head as I cast in away that would cause him to pull the rest of his hair out.
I miss his writings.
Rick
I never was fortunate enough to meet the man but I do remember the day we found out. It does not seem like a year.
Prayers with you and your family on this milestone date.
Jeff
I met JC once along with Deanna at CWFI. I exchanged a few emails with him and read his column every week. What I remember the most was sitting in my office at work one day and a call comes in from an unknown number. It was JC. I was all excited and stuff because he had figured out how to get in touch with me thru our company’s web site. Not much of a conversation really. Had something to do with a thread about peta. Anyway Jim’s call really delighted me. Something I will hold on to.
Kerry
It hardly seems a year since Castwell’s passing. Like so many others I never met the man in person, but through the internet I felt I have met him all the same. I love reading his articles; so much great information and insight. I sure miss his wit and wisdom here on the bb.
God bless you Deanna.
My thoughts are with you. Although I never met Jim, but through FAOL I learned a lot from him. I’ve used his “whack the spider” teaching technique to teach a few people how to cast. My own casting improved just from reading it and trying that out. Enjoy the memories, for they are good.
- Jeff
Doesn’t seem possible. All are still in my prayers and ever shall be.