To Honour the Memory of a Friend

[smallmouth89]

Ladies and Gentlemen,

If you've never tried it before try fishing a "zonker". If you're not a flyfisherman tie it on a jighead or use a splitshot in front of the hook eye. In honour of my late friend Dave I fished these rabbit streamers in purple and pink. I caught more nice rainbows today than the regular fly guys who were using the small stuff. I think it would make "Uncle Z" as TubeN2 used to call him down on us.
[url "http://www.fish4flies.com/img/flies/Large/2332-Pink_Zonker.jpg"][/url]
God Bless,
Don
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]I was looking back through some of my picture files and found these shots of "Uncle Z". Since a lot of our newer members never had the opportunity of close interaction with this gentleman, I thought I would post these pics for everyone.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I kind of had a start, when I brought up the first one. It is a self portrait he shot. Appears like he is looking down on us from his new home.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I know he had a sense of humor and liked to , but unfortunately we do not have any pictures of him that show that side of his nature.[/#0000ff]
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[inline "ZONKER SELF PIC.jpg"]

[inline "ZONKER 2.jpg"]

[inline "ZONKER AFLOAT 3.jpg"]

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[macfly55]

td..

wow you are right on that first picture.. definitely gives one a start..

great post.. :-)

MacFly [cool]
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[FOD]

I have been reading that thread and ones Zonker had from a while back explaining his hardships. When I read his last post about not being able to do as much fishing as he would have liked to and how he was going to try to get out after some post surgery rest I thought of Reel Recovery and how great it would have been for him. A couple days later I read about him passing away. For someone who I have never met or never got to know because I am fairly new to BFT I have thought about Zonker everyday since. It dens me, because he seemed to me after reading his blogs the other day like a great guy and I wish I could have gotten more time to get to know him and all his fishing techniques. I have been "woken up" from this misfortune. I have realized that life can be gone at a snap of a finger, and to go out and do all that I love in the world, taking it one day at a time and slowing down a little to get every bit I can out of life. I have had a lot of alone fishing time recently and in the last week have been fishing everyday. Maybe in my mind I am putting in some fishing time for Zonker. I do have one personal goal that he will have an influence on and it is flyfishing for carp. In my life I hope I can help make others out there with health problems feel a little better by tossing out a line and forgetting all the day to day rituals they have to deal with. I will always try to make a difference if I can however possible.
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[windriver]

Well said.

Windriver
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[tubeN2]

Ever since my Dad, TubeDude, made a mention to Zonker as a good friend and brother, I caught on quickly and started calling him Uncle Z.

He was cool with it and allowed me to be his honorary nephew.

Uncle Z sure made an impact on these boards as well as his interaction with the Fly Fishing board. He unselfishly contributed so much knowledge to these boards and will truly be missed.

Hopefully, we can all dwell upon the goodness, strength and courage of an outstanding angler that he was.[:/]
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[lonehunter]

Fishermen come and go ..
Legends live forever !
Smooth waters to you Big Z .
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