I met JC and Dee when I was the VP of a small ISP in Washington State.
Jim struck me right away as one of those few lucky people in life that know what they want, and are accustomed to getting it. Dee was his anchor and kept Jim grounded, and gave much of the “welcome home” feeling that this site has.
I got to know Jim and Dee pretty well over the last decade, and am very fortunate to have broken bread with them on several occasions. My door was always open for them, and will continue to be open for Dee. They were a welcome couple at the few summer parties / picnics that I threw, and I found them absolutely fascinating.
In a past career Jim actually milked rattlesnakes. I swear. And yes it sends shivers up my back every time I think about it. They have proof too, as they were on an evening magazine type show (way back when) that was hosted by “Get Smart” actress agent 99 (Barbara Feldon). I actually have a copy of that episode. Jim thought with my extreme aversion toward snakes, it would be a hoot to burn an untitled DVD and leave it in my laptop case one time when I was visiting. Gotta love his sense of humor. Or the fact my neighbors now know how much I can scream like a little girl (when I put it in to see what it was…) Thanks Jim…
Over the years Jim has been hounding me to learn to fly fish. He has stated that anyone that worked on his fly fishing site had to know his stuff. Well, I’m stubborn. I’m still a worm drowner. One that expects his reel to be above the grip. I passed up free lessons from one of the best. How do you spell stupid? Ah well, mark me down for pointers in the next life Jim.
The world has lost a good man. I’ll actually miss the occasional phone call that always started out (hopefully) with “Hi Ron, Jim here… Nothings on fire…”
We all get old, and we all have our time. At least he went quick, on his way to do what he loved with the person he loved most by his side. The impression that JC left on all our lives however will not be so quick to fade.
Remember while fishing up there buddy to “Keepyst Thynne Baakast Upeth” whatever the heck that means…
At the Idaho Fish-In 2007, my wife and I had the privilege of having Jim and Deanna over dinner one night. Gnu Bee was there as well. I had prepared a pizza lasagna in a dutch oven. It was the highlight of my vacation that year. I miss you already Jim;
I have lost another friend that I never got a chance to meet. Al Campbell was another friend I wanted to meet and did not. At least I did get to talk to Jim on the phone a couple of times back when I put him in contact with a company here in Tennessee that made up the new FAOL patches. He was a hoot to talk to on the phone. I will miss him on here very much and I feel at such a loss right now and very sad. I cannot imagine what Deanna is feeling right now or what she has gone through and what all she will still have to go through. I only wish there was something I could do for her to help. This is so very sad. Deanna, you will be in my thoughts and prayers constantly. If you just need to talk or need a shoulder to cry on, just call me and I will be here. Love ya…
To say the least it was a shock to learn of Mr. Birkhom’s passing. I was not as fortunate as many of you to actually meet and spend time with him.
I only recently discovered this board and am a junior member. But immediately upon registering and posting a message I was so happy I had found it, he was among the first to welcome me.
You see I’m a beginning fly-fisherman and probably a bit shy at asking for advise and certainly it’s my nature to be shy at meeting new people. This is the first board that I’ve ever joined, much less commented on.
I was greeted by Mr. Birkholm in such a fashion that it made me feel at home right away. He offered advise in private mail on a trip I’m going to make, the equipment I should consider and of course the need for me to practice, practice and practice.
My point here is; this man didn’t have to do this. He didn’t know me from Adam, but his generosity was genuine in his desire to teach others about this wonderful sport.
Although I was only a brief witness to his honesty, generosity and unselfish desire to share his knowledge, his example will certainly stay with me.
In this busy world we live in, it sometimes feels that no one wants to give you the time of day. I feel that this board, because of Mr. Birkholm’s inspiration was a different and better place.
My thoughts are with Ms. Birkholm during these trying and sorrow filled days, I know she has lost her very best friend.
And the fly-fishing and conservation community has lost an advocate and ambassador of the first order.
Tight Lines and God’s grace Mr. Birkholm. Thank you for your many contributions.
My, this was a two week passage of hellish time, so I’ve not had much on-line computer time, so this is a complete shock. My condolences to LF. While this forum and all of us have truly missed Dave Campbell, rest assured the same holds true with Castwell. JGW
Quote from Jack Hise :
At the 2008 Idaho Fish-In I offered my hand to JC and he said “That aint good enough Hise” and I got a big hug. I’ll wear that hug for a long time and with a great deal of pride knowing that I was considered one of his friends. He was one hell of a guy and will forever live on with us.
You know it’s very hard to say good by so, Until we meet again JC. Tight lines. UnQuote…
Jack, I remember my meeting for the first time with the Grande Pooh bah! Idaho 2006 …
I got Almost exactly the same greeting as you got. Everyone was greeting The two newcomers to the campfire with handshakes. I stood up and Said Hi I’m Roger, He shook my hand politely like you do when meeting a stranger when Deanna said Oh I know, your GnuBee!
Jim said Gnubee! You’re Gnubee? Why the heck didn’t you say so? He dropped my hand and gave me a big ole hug, the kind that old friends give. I too will treasure my Hug and my friendship with Jim.
Joe, if I remember correctly, when the question of who got the leftover Lasagna came up after that awesome feast You and Linda put on. In the blink of an eye Jim had confiscated the last of it before Joe Hyde or myself could even make a move. It was that good. He also was no slouch when it came to destroying a plate of mint chocolate ice cream either as I recall. Indeed that meal was a memory I will treasure.
The next day we were casting on the lawn. He told me to wrap the line around my left wrist and put my hand in my pocket. I thought he was Nuts! But he had a way about him you didn’t question so I did it. Immediately my cast took off. The loops tightened up as if by magic. I actually could feel the power in the rod and the line seemed alive. I was amazed, indeed dumbfounded. Jim explained that I Had been unconsciously following the rod with my left hand and losing all the power and momentum in the line. By having my hand in my pocket I couldn’t make that error.
Last year I asked Him , do you remember how you described my cast at my first fish in? He said no I don’t remember that. I reminded him that he had said
"It reminds me of a shutter door flapping in a hurricane!! " Jims reaction to that information was “YIKES, did I say that?” Then came that great big grin of his. Yikes he said again. Followed by an even bigger grin.
I will treasure that Yikes too.
Say Hi to Al for me too. That is if the two of you can tear yourselves away from fishing for a moment to do so.
…a man of infinite jest and wisdom. Although I never had the pleasure of meeting him, I think that if I had ran into him somewhere, it would have been as though I’d known him a lifetime.
Condolences LF
p.s. “Hey JC! put in a good word for all of us with the Guy that owns those trophy waters you’re fishing in, will 'ya?” and thanks for being one of the reasons that I love this sport!
I’ve never posted on a Board before, so this is a first. I just wanted to say, that JC was a great teacher that should be followed… if possible. Those of us who learned from him should teach as he taught. This way, he lives on… So, all of us that remembers something that can be passed on will be blessed by passing on some of JC…
I can honestly say I would not be fishing today if it was not for JC and Al Campbell.
I had always wanted to try flyfishing since I was a kid. Somehow I found FAOL and read everything. I went out and bought what I thought was needed, but like all of us I struggled greatly. When I let my frustrations known either on the board or chatroom, Jim and Al we so quick to not only give encouragement, but to go out of their way to try and help me with whatever was the issue at the time. Not on the board, but through personal e-mails as well. I would constantly get messages just asking how I was doing.
When I did get a chance to finally meet him Jim for the first time, he made me feel like we knew each other for a lifetime.
I found myself thinking of Al often while on the river fishing, now there will be two great gentlemen in my thoughts always.
I really don’t have the words to describe what JC has done for each of us. I have been truly blessed to have had the honor of getting to know JC and Ladyfisher quite well. I am proud to consider both dear friends. My deepest regards go out to Ladyfisher during this tough time. May the lord be with you ladyfisher, and remember that you are among friends. I will always relish the times that I spent with Jim. Godspeed my friend, and i hope to see you again.
Ladyfisher, please accept my heartfelt condolences. We will miss JC dearly and i will sadly never be able to meet him on this earth. I hope that we will always have this wonderful place to remind us of better days and times. JC will live on as AC has and teach us still as long as this fraternity remains.
The phone rang and a strained voice said ‘Trav- [Deanna’s nickname for me] Jim died on Tuesday on one of the out islands in the Bahamas.’ Almost 50 years of my past flashed before my eyes. The years of fishing on the Au Sable, our trip together to Montana, their move to Montana and then my move here. The years of collecting bugs together, tying flies, fishing, camping, and the many campfires beyond recall that we shared together came to my mind. His wedding to Deanna at Keystone Landing on the Au Sable River where my late wife and I were their attendants. We taught fly fishing classes together - casting, fly tying, knot tying, fly fishing theory and history. We laughed together, cried together, agreed and disagreed - brothers of the angle in spirit and in truth. Looking back it seems so short and so very long ago. Together we started out on a grand adventure. How little we understood where that adventure would lead both of us. The final chapter of the story has been written and what an adventure it was. Our lives were intertwined in ways that are beyond my ability to express in words. Good-bye old friend. The world of fly fishing is richer because of your having been here, and my life is richer because you were part of it.
