Can someone be considered a friend even though you have never met them? Can he be a friend even though you have never shook hands? I have such a person that I consider my friend and that friend just left this world.
William "Bill" Shuck is a man that I met online several years ago. He commented many times on my blog as well as conversing with me via email. Bill was a very talented fly tyer and fly historian with a passion for soft-hackle flies and flymphs. The man was an encyclopedia when it came to these types of flies. So many times he would email me with his thoughts on a particular fly and most times those thoughts were right on. Having known Bill for those few short years gave me a lifetime of expertise from a gentleman who offered it so freely. Bill Shuck thanks for your friendship, you will be missed.
The flies shown all have special meaning. They were tied by Bill and sent to me with a bit of history behind them.
I know what you mean Allan, I have friends like that too. The ties by Bill are a special memory you have from him to treasure.
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Bill I received a Christmas card from him this past year that I wish I could share. He was as kind and thoughtful a man as I have ever known.
Alan - I was saddened to hear about Bill's passing. Quite frankly, I have yet to meet anyone on this forum in person including yourself but I consider us all friends.
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Pat you are correct. We are like a family here.
As far as meeting one another maybe we should have a gathering?
Good Morning Alan,
ReplyDeleteNJpatbee sums up the thoughts of everyone who regularly visits Small Stream Reflections.
Kindest regards to all,
Steve.
Steve
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Steve there are a lot of folks who spend time here and I consider them close. Like I mentioned to Pat maybe we could all get together one day.
I look forward to that day, Alan. In the meantime, we can continue to keep in contact through Small Stream Reflections and the trout hunting trips that you so graciously let us all be a part of.
DeleteKindest Regards,
Steve.
My condolences for the passing of your friend, Bill. He sounds like a very fine fellow who I am sure will be greatly missed by his loved ones and friends.
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Missed indeed Sam. But the knowledge he passed on will never fade.
Alan
ReplyDeleteA wealth of fly tying knowledge gone but not forgotten; his fly patterns will live on---thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
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Bill you said it.
I had only 'met' Bill a short time ago. I was fortunate enough to receive a couple of PM's from him. His points were well taken and thoroughly appreciated; he will be missed.
ReplyDeletemike
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I would have loved to spend a day with him. I gained a great deal just by email I can only imagine what a day with him would have yielded.
Alan, sorry to hear about your friend. You are a true friend for paying tribute to him in this way. I'll wager your thoughts will be with him while you tie those flys.
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Matt when I take out that bobbin with silk thread, and a few game hackles Bill will be there.
Alan,
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting about our friend and fellow flympher, Bill Shuck! Mike said it best above, Bill was always thoughtful and appreciative of the many correspondences he had with a host of peoples all over the world!
His tying was exemplary! I often viewed it as tight and precise although he constantly reminded me of his by-word on the Flymph Forum, "Tie2fish". He never considered his work as anything special but, we all know that it was world class! He was a peach of a fellow and the best friend I ever had! I miss him daily!
A saddened friend from Ohio,
Dougsden!
Dougsden
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Doug as you said he tied flies for fish to eat. He was the man who got me into tying "Salars Nemesis", we had many conversations about that fly. It's a fly that you and I had some discussions about. I will continue to feature his flies as time moves on.
Showing more of Bill's flies in the future would be awesome Alan! Thank you for offering that! The flies you have posted above are a great example of what this man was capable of! Again, thanks for putting this together! It is awesome!
DeleteBeautiful work. Thanks for sharing it with us.
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Emily I appreciate the comment.
Now that, is a picture worth hanging on your wall.
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Mark, any one of them.
Really beautiful work!
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Ralph, Bill was a true master at the vise.
Hi Alan
ReplyDeleteSuch sad news about Bill. I have met him online both here and on 'The Flymph Forum' and also on 'Sparse Grey Matter'. May his soul rest in peace (on a river bank somewhere.....). Take care Tietofish, you will be missed my friend.
Alistair
Alistair
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Bill was very active on Flymp Forum. He was an encyclopedia when it came to the wet fly. "tie2fish" is now where the fish are rising.