9 Comments
User's avatar
John W Sherman Jr's avatar

Kelly, Thanks for the great article on Dave Whitlock. My fly casting mentor taught Dave to nymph fish on the White river years ago. Dave was one of the most creative and personable gentlemen in the sport and will be sorely missed. RIP

Expand full comment
Mary Oldaker's avatar

Dave was a mentor, hero, a man that was bigger than life to me. I went to see Dave and Emily in 2019 and needed instruction to fix my way of fly fishing. I took a girlfriend with me because I was so timid. Mid afternoon he took me aside and said "you are one in a thousand". I almost lost it! I had been back to just visit a couple of times before he died and was there for his memorial. I miss him with all my heart. He sent me a hand written letter, as he does for so many. At that time, my husband was still alive and was a world renowned drummer. I had hung all of his gold, platinum and silver albums on the walls in our home, but the letter from Dave and his words were my gold record! Nothing could have made me happier. I adore and miss you Dave Whitlock.

Expand full comment
Mary Oldaker's avatar

Dave was a mentor, hero, a man that was bigger than life to me. I went to see Dave and Emily in 2019 and needed instruction to fix my way of fly fishing. I took a girlfriend with me because I was so timid. Mid afternoon he took me aside and said "you are one in a thousand". I almost lost it! I had been back to just visit a couple of times before he died and was there for his memorial. I miss him with all my heart. He sent me a hand written letter, as he does for so many. At that time, my husband was still alive and was a world renowned drummer. I had hung all of his gold, platinum and silver albums on the walls in our home, but the letter from Dave and his words were my gold record! Nothing could have made me happier. I adore and miss you Dave Whitlock.

Expand full comment
Mary Oldaker's avatar

Dave was a mentor, hero, a man that was bigger than life to me. I went to see Dave and Emily in 2019 and needed instruction to fix my way of fly fishing. I took a girlfriend with me because I was so timid. Mid afternoon he took me aside and said "you are one in a thousand". I almost lost it! I had been back to just visit a couple of times before he died and was there for his memorial. I miss him with all my heart. He sent me a hand written letter, as he does for so many. At that time, my husband was still alive and was a world renowned drummer. I had hung all of his gold, platinum and silver albums on the walls in our home, but the letter from Dave and his words were my gold record! Nothing could have made me happier. I adore and miss you Dave Whitlock.

Expand full comment
Mary Oldaker's avatar

Dave was a mentor, hero, a man that was bigger than life to me. I went to see Dave and Emily in 2019 and needed instruction to fix my way of fly fishing. I took a girlfriend with me because I was so timid. Mid afternoon he took me aside and said "you are one in a thousand". I almost lost it! I had been back to just visit a couple of times before he died and was there for his memorial. I miss him with all my heart. He sent me a hand written letter, as he does for so many. At that time, my husband was still alive and was a world renowned drummer. I had hung all of his gold, platinum and silver albums on the walls in our home, but the letter from Dave and his words were my gold record! Nothing could have made me happier. I adore and miss you Dave Whitlock.

Expand full comment
Mary Oldaker's avatar

Dave was a mentor, hero, a man that was bigger than life to me. I went to see Dave and Emily in 2019 and needed instruction to fix my way of fly fishing. I took a girlfriend with me because I was so timid. Mid afternoon he took me aside and said "you are one in a thousand". I almost lost it! I had been back to just visit a couple of times before he died and was there for his memorial. I miss him with all my heart. He sent me a hand written letter, as he does for so many. At that time, my husband was still alive and was a world renowned drummer. I had hung all of his gold, platinum and silver albums on the walls in our home, but the letter from Dave and his words were my gold record! Nothing could have made me happier. I adore and miss you Dave Whitlock.

Expand full comment
Charlie Transue's avatar

Reading this column made my day. I fully concur with Dave Whitlock's recommendation to observe the small worlds close at hand, like his stream, all around us.

Expand full comment
Alan Hersch's avatar

I met Dave at a seminar at our local FF club. He signed my copy of Bass Flyfishing, adding a beautiful drawing of a bluegill. My license plate here reads “BLUEGIL”.

Expand full comment
Jonathan Antunez's avatar

One of my early heroes in fly tying. I only met him once in Denver, shook his hand and thanked him for being an inspiration to me. He looked me straight in the eyes and said " You have a nice smile." Still brings me to tears.

Expand full comment