Anyone ever run into a famous person while fishing?

[EtchaFly]

A friend and I rented a boat about 5 years ago and floated down the mainstem fo the delaware river. As we approached another drift boat to the right, a guy who we swore was Al Caucci was pissing off the side of his boat to the left. He moved his hands off his genetalia to wave hello to us as we passed by. My buddy shouted over to him, "How's the fish'n" and he responded with, "Not too good but the water is cold and deep". I'll never forget that day.

 

[cingras53]

I was fishing the main stem at Stockport several years ago and I was in the midst of battling a nice rainbow when this drift boat goes by and this guy with a camera is taking a picture of me fighting the fish. A month or two later this same guy posted the picture on this website. The photographer was was none other than Dennis Cabarle. That is the closest I came to someone famous.

 

[AKSkim]

Well it wasn't on the stream, but I was in the motel heading to the stream
when I passed a mirror and saw AK Skim also leaving the motel to
fish the very stream I was.

Like Al.. AK is a real piss-ah in a difference sence of the word.

Ok-ok.. there are GIRL SCOUT TROUT lerkers here... so I have to explain.

I found AK to be very funny....

I should have asked for his autograph.

 

[dcabarle]

I was fishing the main stem at Stockport several years ago and I was in the midst of battling a nice rainbow when this drift boat goes by and this guy with a camera is taking a picture of me fighting the fish. A month or two later this same guy posted the picture on this website. The photographer was was none other than Dennis Cabarle. That is the closest I came to someone famous.

I'll tell you what was pretty cool about that...

This picture was taken on 9.6.2001

I think you contacted me in 2003 some time. It was a while after I posted it.

What was pretty cool was receiving an email from you asking about the picture then telling me the story about your friend. Damn what was his name, Bucky or something like that. I forget... It was a nice story that went well with the picture. Thanks for bringing it back up!

 

[Future Fanatic]

That is the closest I came to someone famous.

Back in the olden days, when I would frequent the Beaverkill, I spent some time near Cairns and of course Charles Manson (or was it the Unabomber...?)

 

[cingras53]

I'll tell you what was pretty cool about that...

This picture was taken on 9.6.2001

I think you contacted me in 2003 some time. It was a while after I posted it.

What was pretty cool was receiving an email from you asking about the picture then telling me the story about your friend. Damn what was his name, Bucky or something like that. I forget... It was a nice story that went well with the picture. Thanks for bringing it back up!

Yup. It's my friend,mentor and superior fly tier Bucky Stearns. I was lucky enough to become friends with him in the early 80s and he has been so generous with his fishing knowledge. The guy on the bank was Howard from Scranton. It was a great day to be on the main stem, as always.

 

[Ryan R]

While both of us were on a stream section assessment demonstration, I rode with Dwight Landis in his car (author of Trout Streams of Pennsylvania) without knowing who the hell he actually was in PA flyfishing circles! After the biologists' demonstration was over, Dwight was then kind enough to give me a personal tour of the area streams and tips on hatches, etc. before we headed back to the group at the PATU fall meeting several years ago. I just thought he was a nice guy from the area. When I got back the older guys obviously all knew who he was and kept asking me what I learned from him, etc. I was all nonchalant about it and asked "why they were so curious and well who is he?" They were like you're kidding right? Heck I was new to TU and flyfishing, so no I wasn't kidding. They filled me in. The next day I was with him again and sheepishly said "So you wrote a book huh?" He laughed pretty damned hard. It's always a funny story that I get reminded of every year.

 

[Drossi]

I see my reflection in stream every time I get out.

 

[Karel]

I have run into Pat Dorsey a few times when hiking into Cheesman Canyon. Pat is somewhat of a celebrity here, co-owner of the Bluequill Angler and author and several awesome books. Also, I got to meet Rim Chung last year, the inventor of my all-time go-to fly RS2.

 

[coolkyle]

Rim Chung sounds like a euphemism for some sort of health problem.

 

[boomer88]

Coz - Former host of ESPN's "In Search of Flywater.

Also fished once with Paul Voelker, former Chairman of the Federal Reserve under Reagan

 

[sandfly]

fished with, flick,wulff, bob popivics, schreibert, casted with kreh, jawaroski

 

[clearstream]

I have run into Pat Dorsey a few times when hiking into Cheesman Canyon. Pat is somewhat of a celebrity here, co-owner of the Bluequill Angler and author and several awesome books. Also, I got to meet Rim Chung last year, the inventor of my all-time go-to fly RS2.

I just purchased materials from him, very nice on the phone, good pricing, fast shipping. My reels are almost all Ross, my favorite Rod is a Scott. Thinking of moving to Colorado to save on shipping.

 

[AKSkim]

fished with, flick,wulff, bob popivics, schreibert, casted with kreh, jawaroski

I think you should maybe put together a nice thread and give some history of those men in fly fishing history and your personal experience with them.

 

[Karel]

I just purchased materials from him, very nice on the phone, good pricing, fast shipping. My reels are almost all Ross, my favorite Rod is a Scott. Thinking of moving to Colorado to save on shipping.

it wouldn't be the worst move, fly fishing wise. i dig it out here!

 

[AKSkim]

it wouldn't be the worst move, fly fishing wise. i dig it out here!

I don't know about that.

You just can't leave NEFF.

Hummmm... "dig it out here" but can leave NEFF... (NORTH EAST) ???

Thats the most sense you have ever made.

 

[Eagle Claw]

Cathy Beck filming on the West Branch and Joan Wulff on the Wilowemoc.
Someone also told me that guy down there is AK Skum.

 

[Karel]

I don't know about that.

You just can't leave NEFF.

Hummmm... "dig it out here" but can leave NEFF... (NORTH EAST) ???

Thats the most sense you have ever made.

Well, let's just say I like to keep in touch. I know you wouldn't dig it here, too many bears, cougars, rattlers and other little critters you might be scared of. BUT, the do have Corona out here, so I don't know.

 

[boom2it]

While standing at the guard rail observing a section of the Beaverkill several seasons ago, another gentleman pulled over and proceeded to do the same. After several minutes and not seeing much happening on the water we both return to our cars, a nod and polite "hello", we strike up a conversation about this and that and how this is his favorite spot to just observe and take note of what might or might not be hatching and fish working etc etc, before he hits the East Branch. My reply of course was that I had not yet fished the East Branch, as I had only been fishing for 3 or 4 season to that point. "Why don't you tag along I'll show you some good spots", (me) "um yeah sure if you don't mind, thanks". I get in my car and follow him stopping at several locations along the EB but not yet fishing, just showing me places of interest. Some time just before dark 7ish I think, we gear up at a spot he considers promising. At this point we finally get beyond general conversations and exchange names, where we live what we do etc. Apparently Art is well traveled and had done more fishing/guiding/writing than I will in two life times. None of this registers as I am quite green and not very well read in the ways of trout, (have done much reading and studying since). We have a great couple of hours fishing a section of the EB, not doing very well but still very enjoyable, fishing sulphers. Unfortunately I would love to tell you Art put me into amazing fishing, which come to think of it he probably did, but I just didn't have the skill. (1 LDR)
My host of the EB didn't fare well either and blamed it on a new rod he was trying out.
Leaving the river it was very late and dark and we shared a couple of beers stream side before heading our separate ways. Had I know at the time who I was fishing with, it probably wouldn't have been as fun. I am sure I would have stressed about the perfect cast and this and that and what a fool I am making of myself. But looking back, that has to be one of the more enjoyable times I have had on a river with a compete stranger.
The next morning two of my buddies came up for the day to fish the Beaverkill and on the front seat of his car was a copy of "Fishing Dry Flies for Trout on Rivers and Streams" by Art Lee.
"hey I was fishing with that guy last night"
The next week I got an email from Art for my address, two weeks later I received a signed copy.
Pretty cool, I have yet to go back and explore the lower EB since then, maybe this year?
You never know who'll meet stream side, all it takes is a simple hello.

 

[Andy]

Years ago I worked for a tackle company and represented them at the annual Federation of Fly Fisherman conclaves. When the conclave was in Sun Valley all us exhibitors, and the fishing personalities, were invited to fish the Purdy Ranch which is just downstream from what is now the conservation area on Silver Creek. Art Flick, Carl Richards, Doug Swisher, Dave Whitlock, Ernest Schweibert and Leon Chandler were all in attendance. I've got some so-so slides of them rigging their tackle. I remember that Schweibert got special attention and had one of the local guides leading him to the big fish.

More on Ernie: I have a friend who was a member of the Henryville Flyfishers and who invited me to fish their water every so often. As everyone knows, Ernest Schweibert was the president of that club and I saw him often. I once watched him tie Henryville Specials on the glove compartment door of his Mercedes. Another time, I respectfully got out of the Upper Twin Pool when he arrived with his father and had intentions of fishing it.

Back then, there weren't any eastern fly fishing shows so the FFF conclaves were also the place to meet and talk with other famous personalities like George Grant, Charles Brooks, Pete Hidy, Andy Puyans, Polly Rosborough, Rene Harrop, Craig Matthews, Bob Jacklin, and of course, Lefty Kreh. Now a days the world has gotten to be much smaller and famous fly fishermen regularly visit our area to do shows.

 

[D'ANGLER]

Me & Obama.......

 

[Stonefly]

Coz - Former host of ESPN's "In Search of Flywater.

Also fished once with Paul Voelker, former Chairman of the Federal Reserve under Reagan

Stole my famous angler! My uncle was a VP with the Federal Res in NYC, and asked me to take a "friend" fishing. We met at the Five Star on Rte 206 the following Saturday and it was Paul Voelker!

Not sure of the year but late 80's just after I moved to Sussex County. A friend from Bergen County came up so we could hit the Musky. We were on the section behind the concert field at Waterloo Village, and heard some country western, and repeated "mic check". The music was real good so we went up to listen. We were standing by the fence in front of the stage and it was Willy Nelson. He came over and wanted to know if there really was trout in the "stream". Alan lent him his waders and rod and he fished with us for about half an hour. One of his people came down mad as hell as Nelson was to have already left by chopper for Conn to golf before the concert. We got four tickets for that night from the manager. went later with our wives, and the concert was 45 minutes late, as they announced Mr, Nelson was in route from an important meeting in Conn. The warm up band was pretty good.

 

[dcabarle]

Me & Obama.......

Nice try!

 

[cingras53]

I fish with my buddy Bob Gartner who authored the National Parks Fishing Guide.

 

[Doubletaper]

Met Mel Kriger on the the Henrys fork, Charlie Fox on the Letort,Don duboy on the Letort,Ed koch on the Yellow Breeches,Rene Harrop on the Henrys Fork,stayed a week at Bob Jacklins house in W. Yellowstone,Paul Jorgeson at a little fly shop in Linden N.J., Jim and Kitty Vincent on the Yellowstone at buffalo ford. Ak at the fly fishing show,DC on a float trip on the main stem

 

[sstasiak]

This thread reminds me of something I meant to post about a while back. I had a run-in with good ole Mr. Caucci himself in front of his campground this past spring. I was with a buddy in my canoe with the flow at about 400cfs.

There was literally a mob of his buddies blanketing the shallow water, so we decided to hug the far bank and quietly slip past(with paddles raised). Apparently they would've preferred us to pull the canoe out of the water and carry it around them because they immediately started yelling out their chosen obscenity of the day, with Caucci being the most vocal. Now...I'm never one to disrespect my elders, but I can't imagine how many days a year this guy fishes that river system in addition to all the other rivers he fishes, so I was slightly pissed that he was such a douche about it.

So just to really chap his ass, I told him he couldn't reach us if he tried, to which he replied..."I could take your hat off from here".

I respectfully told him that he could try if he really wanted to, and left it at that. Sure, you could say we should've pulled the canoe out...the biggest fish were probably on the bank we were on...yada yada yada. Like I said, we slipped through quietly in the least disruptive water craft I could think of.

I got a good laugh about it afterwards...and that was my one and only "celebrity" encounter.

 

[AKSkim]

Met Ak at the fly fishing show, DC on a float trip on the main stem

As always, I get top billing.

AK Skim

 

[AKSkim]

There was literally a mob of his buddies blanketing the shallow water, so we decided to hug the far bank and quietly slip past(with paddles raised). Apparently they would've preferred us to pull the canoe out of the water and carry it around them because they immediately started yelling out their chosen obscenity of the day, with Caucci being the most vocal.

Do you know that if you take a canoe paddle and start slapping the water, to any large fish in the area they believe it is a herd of beaver coming.

It is their dinner bell and they are hungry.

 

[jamiep]

While standing at the guard rail observing a section of the Beaverkill several seasons ago, another gentleman pulled over and proceeded to do the same. After several minutes and not seeing much happening on the water we both return to our cars, a nod and polite "hello", we strike up a conversation about this and that and how this is his favorite spot to just observe and take note of what might or might not be hatching and fish working etc etc, before he hits the East Branch. My reply of course was that I had not yet fished the East Branch, as I had only been fishing for 3 or 4 season to that point. "Why don't you tag along I'll show you some good spots", (me) "um yeah sure if you don't mind, thanks". I get in my car and follow him stopping at several locations along the EB but not yet fishing, just showing me places of interest. Some time just before dark 7ish I think, we gear up at a spot he considers promising. At this point we finally get beyond general conversations and exchange names, where we live what we do etc. Apparently Art is well traveled and had done more fishing/guiding/writing than I will in two life times. None of this registers as I am quite green and not very well read in the ways of trout, (have done much reading and studying since). We have a great couple of hours fishing a section of the EB, not doing very well but still very enjoyable, fishing sulphers. Unfortunately I would love to tell you Art put me into amazing fishing, which come to think of it he probably did, but I just didn't have the skill. (1 LDR)
My host of the EB didn't fare well either and blamed it on a new rod he was trying out.
Leaving the river it was very late and dark and we shared a couple of beers stream side before heading our separate ways. Had I know at the time who I was fishing with, it probably wouldn't have been as fun. I am sure I would have stressed about the perfect cast and this and that and what a fool I am making of myself. But looking back, that has to be one of the more enjoyable times I have had on a river with a compete stranger.
The next morning two of my buddies came up for the day to fish the Beaverkill and on the front seat of his car was a copy of "Fishing Dry Flies for Trout on Rivers and Streams" by Art Lee.
"hey I was fishing with that guy last night"
The next week I got an email from Art for my address, two weeks later I received a signed copy.
Pretty cool, I have yet to go back and explore the lower EB since then, maybe this year?
You never know who'll meet stream side, all it takes is a simple hello.

Great story love reading stuff like that.

 

[ChrisR]

Never ran into the guy but certainly would not have liked it. However when working in the teton's you could tell when V.P. Chenney was fishing. 1st think you would notice was air force two parked on the tarmac.

When Chenney was drifting the snake and some of the other rivers one would notice three apache gunships loitering overhead, a flotilla of drift boats with some big looking guys that were obviously not from around there and flyrods seemed alien instruments in there hands, and an assortment of men walking the riverbanks looking everywhere but where they were going. Read that as a lot of stumbling and tripping going on.

There was a no flyfish zone for about 200 meters above and below him. Of course all this was done so he could effectivly catch trout.

Oh and as tax payers we paid for all the security and his fishing trips. We know he's dangerous with a gun. Local rumor was that he hooked numerous security detail members on his backcast.

True story.