Last June, Ken Owens met Gary in Missoula and spent an afternoon talking with him about his career. His very touching recollection of this visit can be read on American Fly Fishing Company's website — Friends of the Book Mailer share how Gary touched their lives — I too would like to share my thoughts on Gary. I met him several years ago when he, Jack and Mike were doing the Traveling Fly Fisherman shows. He always had time to chat and share stories. I especially enjoyed the stories that included "the boy faced dog, Chester", his fishing buddy. I fondly remember one occasion about 3 years ago in Salt Lake City just before he was diagnosed with ALS. On his way down from Red Lodge his car broke down. Not wanting to disappoint his fans he left his car to be repaired and borrowed a car belonging to the mechanics daughter to finish the drive. He was a little late but arrived with a big smile and a great story to tell us all. He tied his famous flies, presented terrific slide presentations, casting demonstrations, and shared funny stories about his adventures with his buddies, Jack and Mike. The highlight of the day was when he sat down and watched my husband Paul tie. He sat there with us for over an hour and just chatted. That was the start of a priceless friendship that Paul and I will cherish for the rest of our lives. Since that day we were fortunate enough to spend a lot of time with Gary and develop an everlasting love for him. We had the chance of a lifetime about a 1 year ago when we were asked to tie at the International FFF Conclave in Livingston, MT. Gary was to receive the "Man of the Year" award and wanted to attend. Paul and I arranged to drive up to Missoula and pick him up. For 3 hours we listened as Gary told us about his life in Deer Lodge and his favorite fishing places, he even pointed out a few of his secret spots and told us to be sure to fish them. Later that evening we had dinner with Gary, and several of his friends. After finishing dinner and sharing good times we were worried that Gary might be getting tired so we were about to suggest that we call it a night when Gary asked "Who wants coffee?", it was clear that he truly enjoyed being with friends and wasn't ready to retire just yet. I will be forever grateful to have known Gary and to have called him my friend. -- Char Stimpson I wasn't sure if I was going to write anything to you and the others at Greycliff after Gary's death, but I got the letter you sent out today and I felt I should say something. The picture on the back of the letter, of Gary and Chester fishing, broke my heart. I never met Gary, corresponded with him or even spoke to him on the phone but in an odd way I feel like I did meet him. Through reading his books, watching his videos and, of course, reading the Book Mailer, I believe I got a good sense of him. He touched my life and the lives of countless others. He seemed to me to have two passions: learning as much as he could about fly fishing and passing that knowledge on to others. I'd say he succeeded in both. I was at my local fly shop last week and I mentioned I'd watched Gary tying the Emergent Sparkle Pupa on the Caddisflies video. One of the shop guys, a man not easily impressed, got a wistful look in his eyes and said "Now that's a great fly!" I am glad you and the others will keep the Book Mailer going. It would be a shame to lose it. In closing, let me say that I can't shake the mental picture I have of Gary selling Halford, Skues and Marinaro on his theories of attraction. -- Eric Skinner, PA I first met Gary in '96 when the Traveling Fly Fishermen came through Boulder (Jack, Mike, and Gary should've done Vaudeville). I sat stunned at the things he said (and tied – take the Air Head), impressed by his application of scientific method to a pastime (obsession?) that frequently more closely resembled alchemy. For two days I listened to his logic, musings, and wryly warped sense of humor. I even took a casting lesson from him, wherein I learned he was an accomplished liar as well ("You know, Bryan, you don't cast poorly at all – you have the same bad habits I do"). -- Bryan Williams, CO While I was at the fly fishing show today I had found out Mr. Lafontaine had passed away. I was deeply saddened by the news. I was lucky enough to meet him some years back and he was nice enough to teach me how to tie my first fly, the Emergent Sparkle Pupa. I was so excited I bought his book and started my love of fly tying. I will always remember his kindness towards me at that show. -- John Zydallas NJ He ranks with the likes of A.J. McClane, Lee Wulff and Lefty Kreh. Any advice from him was golden. I know there's a lot of sales hype flying around disguised as insight, so when anyone tells me something I don't know I ask, "Sez who?" If the answer is Gary LaFontaine, my reply is, "Okay, tell me again slowly. I want to get it right." -- Arnold Markowitz, FL