Sad News–Nemes, Tryon, Talleur

The past few weeks have brought sad news of the deaths of three friends in the fly fishing community. My old pal, Syl Nemes, died on February 3 in Bozeman, Mt. Syl was the author of a big handful of books on soft hackles—everything form the history of their early development to the use of soft hackle for spinner imitations. He was as soft and gentle as the hackles he espoused, and we had many laughs and good times together. I’ll miss you old friend. Our deepest sympathies to his wife, Hazel, and their family.

Chuck Tryon, who wrote several books on the fly fishing experiences in Missouri, died on February 7. In addition to his where to books and texts on fly patterns, Chuck wrote the definitive book on fishing for Bream—bluegills, sunfish, and the like. He sent me an early copy, and after reading it I agreed to do the forward to it. He was always an inventive and forward looking angler. Our sympathies go to his wife, Sharon, and his family.

Then yesterday February 20, 2011) while I was at the Pasadena Fly Fishing Show, I heard that another long-time friend, Dick Talleur had just died. I saw Dick at the International Fly Tying Symposium in Somerset, NJ, in November, and he seemed as bright and alert as always, as he sat and tied his beautiful weather-wing wet flies. Good bye, old friend, and deepest sympathies to his family and friends in this tome of mourning.