Hello all. I was unable to login through my old account so I made this new one.
I am sorry to announce that my Dad, Robert Fink (dubbed Dadbob by JC himself), passed away on December 7, 2024, after a long struggle with Alzheimers, a horrible and slow-acting disease. He was very comfortable during most of his decline, and as recently as 3 months ago his face lit up from the wheelchair when I talked about our experiences at the FAOL fish-in in Lowell, Idaho at 3 Rivers Resort with many of all y’all. Those memories imprinted in his failing brain, and for that I thank you all.
He taught me how to fish from age 6 from our family cabin on the Manistee in Michigan, I got to fish the holy waters of the Au Sable just down the road too, and then in Colorado he gifted me his fly rod (at age 12) and reel and taught me how to flyfish. Badum, Badum was his mantra, a slow, gentle, and perfectly precise cast.
He bought me a Thompson A vise and a bunch of feathers for my 13th birthday, and I ended up tying and selling flies to him and his buddies for 25 cents each…mostly Renegades of course, this is Colorado.
He never tried for distance, his thing was a perfect presentation. He didn’t like to move around much either, “there’s a fish in the pool and I’m going to catch it.” Even if it took 4 hours, and he’d do it.
He did very well on the Lochsa with me and Kenny and the FAOL regulars, but sharing mile markers for pull offs was not his thing, really he was most at peace on the Selway just up from the confulence. Me too, the Lochsa is awesome fun and challenging, but the Selway is just magical, and he remembered it until his grave, as shall I.
Thank you all for the amazing memories, and I hope to join you on the Selway and Lochsa soon. Problem is I’m in the same business as Dadbob- college professor and administrator stuff, and class is in session in Autumn, and I have students… But I’ll try to make it soon!
RIP Dadbob, he was a superb father and an amazing man.
) Your Dad will be sorely missed. I’m so sorry.