Only those that have known love will grieve. I grieve deeply.
Eddy was my "BFB", best fishing buddy. I moved to the White Mountains in 2003 from Tucson, to be close to water so I could fly-fish. Eddy adopted me. He became my mentor. He insisted we needed to leave by 3 am to go fishing! We were on the water as the first light emerged, always, and the last to leave. He taught me everything! Even changing the tire on my Ford truck....which I had to do many times. Once , we arrived at Christmas Lake, of course early in the morning, I noticed when getting our gear out of my truck that one of my tires was not just flat..it was shredded! We looked at it and both said "Fish first, tire later". It was the conversation point at the lake that day: Do you know whose truck that is? It has a flat tire". Oh yeah, it is ours. "Fish First, tire later".
We shared many times on the water catching Trout. I have many of his special flies which always catch fish. So sad he never made it to Alaska to fish with me.
Yes I grieve, because I loved.
I am still in Alaska and will miss the service. Will someone please, Cast a line with one of his flies for me at his service. Thank you.
My love and hugs to Alisa, Dana, and family,
Fran Stier