I must admit I made a mistake in my knowledge and reactions toward “the bench”.
The only knowledge I had of the bench was from a post that stated something about(And maybe I read it wrong) “I’m not putting a cheap bench in the yard”(or back yard).
I only read posts and replies on this site. I don’t read articles and I don’t come in thru the home page. I only read and participate in the forums and I pick and choose which ones I read and reply to. I certainly don’t read them all.
From that one post I surmised that it was going in someone’s back yard. That kinda got under my skin a bit. I did not think that was right.
I have since been informed it was going in a public area. I will admit to not reading about the bench in any other area, because I knew I wasn’t going to give to the fund. Sorry, but that is just me. I just don’t give to things like this and don’t get involved in such.
If I said anything or implied anything negative about it, I am very sorry.
I do however appreciate everyone’s involvement with this and honoring someone worth honoring.
I hope this may clear up anyone else’s misconception with this matter.
If this is appropriate, please leave it up. If not feel free to remove this post and accept my apology.
Big Bad Wulff, thanks for this. For what its worth, you have regained my respect.
Just a little background on the bench’s. The heartbroken members of FAOL started the bench thing as a tribute when our dear friend Al Campbell passed away. His bench sits beside a stream that Al loved. Jims bench as you say was well deserved and it too will sit beside a stream near a pool that He loved. They exist purely out of respect for two men who were in my opinion Giants in the sport of flyfishing. Both were teachers in every aspect of the sport, both had a huge passion to help others learn. Both were my very good friends.
It is on my Bucket list to visit both of our Benches, to sit there beside the streams they loved and remember the stature of the men they represent.
Accepted!!! ANYONE can make a mistake, For someone to admit it is a sigh of a truely great person. BBW, you are a great person.
Hope to get to see Both benches also, some day, maybe, The wife says she wants to, soo I stand a chance of completeing this quest!!
Gnu Bee did a very nice job of explaining the reason for the bench, thanks Gnu.
BBW The bench is going to be on “Private” property. The first thought was to install it at KeyStone Landing where JC and LadyFisher were married. KeyStone Landing is a canoe launch/takeout site and if anyone has ever witnessed the “Aluminum Hatch” on a hot summer weekend they would never place anything that valuable in harms’s way. One of the sponsors here Gate’s Lodge has agreed to let it be placed on the Au Sable River at the Lodge. Anyone that visits the fly shop, resturant or stays at the lodge will be able to view it.
Got no problem with the ‘aluminum hatch’. Others can enjoy our natural resources in any legal way they wish. I like to see people enjoying themselves. Never stopped me from enjoying any river. When it comes down to it what’s the difference between that and my own “plastic hatch” with my Native Ultimate?
BBW Your answer reflects your lack of knowledge of the “Aluminum Hatch” on most any given weekend on the Au Sauble River in Michigan. It is not the wimpy 6 canoes and then 3 kayaks you encounter on the Duck or Elk River (if you have ever fished them?). Hundreds, yes hundreds of canoes, kayaks & tubes are released on the river in Grayling. Many are drunk when they launch, several have never been in a canoe!! You have no problem? Well stand in the River when these idiots come by? They think running down fly fishermen a sport!
PS I have read your PM’s to Ray about the bench. You need help my friend! You need help.
Is it legal? I can the see drinking part as a problem. If that is illegal then the authorities need to crack down. If it is legal then it’s legal.
We as fly fishers do not own the rivers in which we fish. And thinking so is the problem.
I don’t really care. If people think they are somehow more right to use public land or public waterways than anyone else then they need to check their priorities.
I do other recreations where hunters come in and ‘take over the land’. I don’t hold a grudge against them. I just don’t do that recreation while they are enjoying the opportunity to enjoy their’s.
Our public lands and waterways are just that…P U B L I C.
I see many people canoeing, boating, water skiing, using personal water craft, etc on many waters I fish. I certainly don’t think I am more entitled to the water than they.
Like I said I revel in the fact they are enjoying themselves.
I don’t see the problem.
Now if they are doing something illegal like engaging in public intoxication, littering and the like I can see having a problem. Then I agree. But their beef is with authorities not enforcing laws, not necessarily only with those that are doing it.
Tell me where I am wrong with this. Maybe I agree with the attitude. But simply stating ‘aluminum hatch’ and not stating the reasons behind it makes me think they are just mad that someone is using the land or water that they somehow feel they are more entitled to.