( HUG )
B.C.Nick
Al:
I have been truly blessed, having you come into my life, as you have to so many others.
As a friend, you have been the best. As a mentor, you have taught us so much, just in normal conversations. You impact on the Fly Fishing Fraternity (here at FAOL), has be far reaching, and you legacy will be carried on by those you have befriended!
It is we students, who now have the task, to carry on what you started, how you so freely shared with us. You have been the perfect role model, of what it means to be an Angler.
I can never thank you enough, for what you have done, and the difference you example has made in my life.
~Parnelli
Al,
I think it was Google that brought me here initially…following links for fly tying info and I struck paydirt big time on FAOL when Google pointed me at your words of wisdom.
From the basics, to the challenges to keep things simple, to the tricks, tips, and techniques…it’s all great stuff.
Thanks for taking the time to share.
Thwack
Hi Al,
I had never tied befor you taught me through FAOL this winter. I am looking forward to casting one of those flies at breakup this spring. You’ll be right there with me.
Thank you, Al.
Bob Roseberry
Eagle River, Alaska
Al,
We have never met except through FAOL, but I feel very close to you and am very sad that you are going through what you are. If only I could do something, anything to show how much I appreciate you for who you are and what you have done for me and many, many others. Al, it is with a tear in my eye, I sincerely love you and thank you.
Warren
Al I have sat here at the computer staring at a blank page now for about 20 minutes trying to find the words . The fly tying community has heard of your plight and your name has come up at shows in NY, Boston and Chicago. Also in phone conversations with tying friends in Nevada, Florida and Vermont and they all have asked about you and have had kind words. You have made an impression around the country and have shared your wealth of tying tips and methods with tyers around the globe thru FAOL. Our thoughts and prayers are with you my friend. We were all glad to see your post here. The dream is unfinished…my very warmest regards,…Bob
Al,
Ever since you started this thread I’ve tried to find words to express my appreciation for what you’ve meant to us. Then, by our interactions, how you indirectly influence the fly fishers/tyers who we deal with. However, whatever words I come up with always seem inadequate. So, let me simply say, ‘Thank You’. Thank you for how you’ve influenced us and how your influence will filter down to the newbies and even some of the old farts who, like me, are fortunate to know we still have a lot to learn.
As Reuel always say, “God Bless”.
Allan
Howdy Al
YOUR flies Catch Fish what more can be said.
You have helped this ol man repair a rod or two so someone could enjoy there old fly rod a little longer.
Your humor has kept me smiling long after the subject was past.
Thanks friend.
ol Al
Ol’ Flysoup
Flycasting is as easy as flysoup
Al,
A couple of years ago I sent you an e-mail regarding a product review you were doing on my product. It was after 1:00 AM when I sent it, before I could shut down my computer and call it a night you replied. You were working late on some photos and took the time to reply back and even trade a couple of emails. Your review was very professional and it was an honor to see your name on it. Thank You for sharing your wisdom and being the man that you are.
Don?t give up the fight
Your Friend
Dana
Thanks Al, especially for the digital photography articles. I now take a camera every trip and show pictures of my flies at every opertunity on the BB.
Although I have been ffishing and tying for quite a while, I still learnt a lot from your articles, thanks again from over the water.
Donald/Scotland
Al… thank you. You have made my life so very much better. Through your words here I’ve learned to tie some flies, and learned that they don’t have to be perfect to catch fish. Through your example, I’ve learned that sharing fly fishing with others is a great thing. And because I learned this, I’m starting a bunch of college kids in fly fishing and tying. They are in turn going to be teaching some troubled kids in their town how to fish and tie flies. They will make a difference in those kids’ lives just as you have made a difference in mine.
This is the first winter in memory that I haven’t been depressed, miserable, and feeling sorry for myself. Instead of that, I grin at the feathers and the fur and I tie some flies. And I dream of fishing. And I thank God for you, Al.
I’m holding you in the light and I’ll never forget what you’ve done. I promise to keep passing it on.
Diane
About 3 years ago My wife and I took our vacation out your way and I had the honor to meet you. We saw the badlands and Mount Rusmore and a host of other things, but the high point of my trip was to meet you. You took the time to give some places to fish and to pass on a few things to do in the area. We also meet at the Denver Expo, but we both had appointments and never got togeter to talk and I am very sorry for not having the time to spent with you. I too want to thank you for all the hours that you put in on helping everyone here with your knowledge. You will live on forever for what you have done for the Fly fishing community, and for just being Al Campbell.
We all love you.
Al
AL like some other people said before me you really don’t know what to say. But I will say this,when people that have never met you face to face are feeling emotional you know you are a very special person indeed.
GOD BLESS
Al thank you so very much everything you have done. I have learned so much about tying flies and fishing by reading you articles and posts. Next I want to learn as much as I can from your articles and posts on photography. You are truly one of the great people in this world. It was a great honor to have met you in Idaho last September. I hadnt stopped by the chat room until last night but I was so glad I did. It was good to see you there for even a short time. Thank you so very much again.
Take care everyone and cya around. Mark
Perhaps I’ve posted this before, if so, apologies. I “met” Al after reading an article he had written for Midwest Fly Fishing Magazine. Listed was his e-mail, so I flashed off an e-mail and incredibly a reply was there the following day. I was telling my wife about that last night over dinner, when I gave her Al’s update to us on this thread. He introduced me to FAOL, and I came for a few visits but didn’t stay. A year or so later some of our exchange students wanted to see Mt. Rushmore, so I made a pledge with the devil. I’ll drive as long as I can do some trout fishing in the Black Hills. I found Al’s e-mail and asked what to do, where to go, the flies to use, and again, there was his reply the next day. A PT Nymph was the hot pattern, he wrote, and told me where to find it here on FAOL. This time I stayed a little longer. I didn’t have a pheasant around, but brought my tying kit for I knew that between here and the Black Hills we’d see dozens of dead pheasant on the interstate. Aha, not a one. Then we got to Rapid City only to find a major blizzard, a wet and nasty thing, had turned the rivers into mud streams. Al had asked that I stop in while I was there. One of the boys on the trip had fallen in love with a young woman of questionable repute, and begged us to turn around and head back rather than motel or camp another night, and he was rather convincing with the other folks. As we drove past Schiels I promised myself if I was ever back I’d drop in and give my regards. That was my last trip to the Black Hills. On the way back, though, we saw the dozens of dead pheasants and I wrote a column for my paper, and a couple of months ago I sent that to Al along with my thanks for all he has given me. Is there a lesson here? Never put off today . . . God Bless. JGW
Al,
Like others before me, I don’t quite know how to say what I want to say, or how to put into words the feelings I have in my heart.
I want to thank you for helping and guiding me in my tying and my other absorbtion, photography, especially photographing insects.
When it comes down to it, I guess what I want to say, is, there is a place in the heart of this little english woman that will forever hold you in high esteem.
Julia
Al
I’d like to say “THANK YOU” again for all the knowledge you shared with me and others like me. Your willingness to do that has brought countless hours of happiness to many, many people.
Know in your heart that this knowledge has been and will be shared with the kids I work with and will continue to make the world a better place.
I feel blessed to have had the chance, and luck to be able to share some of things that I have learned because of you.
Thank you my friend.
Barry
Mr. Campbell, I consider myself new to this forum and to fly fishing, but I wanted to say a big THANK YOU for all the articles and comments. You?ve been such a great help – keeping me sane and laughing. Your enthusiasm is so infectious. There is nothing greater than the ability to pass on passion, and you, sir, have passed it twofold. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!!!THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!!!
Man is not made for defeat–Hemingway
Mr. Al,
As usually happens, we arrive late, so we have not had the honor to get to know you.
You have accumulated a GRAND pile of referrences here. You should be proud. Friends is where the wealth is. I would like the chance know you.
…lee s.
Thanks Al!
Your series on digital photography has been a constant resource to me. Those that can teach, and have such a wonderful spirit about it that comes through in their writing, have a special place in my heart. I’m deeply greatful.
-Padron-