REMEMBRANCES OF JC
I’m certain that there are readers of Fly Anglers Online that don’t remember JC, aka Castwell, but he was an integral part of this online magazine for many years before his death in 2009. Perhaps a short remembrance of a man who was my best friend for many years is in order.
Neil,
That was a wonderful remberance of JC. I learned a lot about fly fishing through JC’s writings and interactions on the bb. I miss his wit and wisdom. He left an indelible mark.
Neil,
I really enjoyed reading your article on JC. Thanks so much for sharing…
Neil, I have never had the pleasure to have met either one of you. But I feel that it would have been an honor. Thank you and it is too late to thank JC. Dick xfishcop
I only had the pleasure of meeting J.C. in the chat room here on FAOL, but I think of him as a friend and mentor. His wit and intelligence flowed out of his words, and I found pleasure in talking to him. Thanks, Neil, for the wonderful article. Mike
JC giving casting lessons to my kid brother Ron the 2008 Idaho Fish-In.
Thanks for sharing that, Neil. I still miss seeing new articles from JC. I can’t believe it’s been 4 years since he passed.
“JC”… They don’t make that model anymore. He was a cocky, crotchety ole fly flinger. He was just right!
My favorite was a post he made instructing a member with a distance casting problem. The guy couldn’t get it. JC finally jumps into the discussion and yelps…“QUIT CASTING LIKE A GIRL !!!..I think he did some duckin’ and runnin” and "cringin’ " for that comment.
The post:…One last resort. Get mad. Really mad. At yourself, fate, casting in general, whatever. Decide you will cast so hard that you will destroy the &%$# rod on the next cast. You will ‘make’ the leader sizzle on the way past your ear. Stand up straight. Stop the ^%$# rod. Quit babying the fly rod! Hit it! Quit casting like a girl! Step up to it. Either you can cast or you can’t; which will it be? Start listening for the backing knot to rip through the guides like a machine gun. 
A double-haul is never in progress. Either you can or not.
When the news was posted to the board about his death I said to myself: “geez”…“why”, and shook my head in disbelief.
Any guy that can eat some “Lutefisk” (even if they don’t like it) is ok in my book.
Thanks Neil.
JC is sorely missed. I only knew him through the website, but he was still an important part of my life for many years.
Great post.
I too never met JC ,but I enjoyed his articles.Two that stand out were the section he did on slant tank images of mayflies, and the other was the story and images of him catching salmon on a broom stick to the disdain of the other less noble anglers
Beautifully written. Thank you
Thank you for writing this!