Bamboozle
Well-known member
(If the moderators feel this post is inappropriate or belongs elsewhere, feel free to move or delete)
Around 1984 after a particularly good day of fishing on the Little Lehigh, I was inclined to write a letter about my exploits to a well-known Southern angler who often fly-fished in Pennsylvania.
Even though I did not know this fellow, among other things we shared a love for Leonard bamboo rods. When he retired and relocated, he had the misfortune of having a treasured Leonard rod stolen from him during the move. In my letter, I mentioned this and how despicable I considered the situation.
Possibly, it was the mention of the rod, recounting my fishing experiences or maybe it was just because we both loved fly-fishing in Pennsylvania but a few weeks later, I received a nice reply from him complimenting my skill that I framed for posterity.
Fast forward to a handful of years later and Home Depot was planning to open a store not far from the banks of Letort Spring Run. More than a few folks were concerned about storm water run-off including Cumberland Valley TU, what was left of the Letort Regulars and myself.
I was involved in the fight and volunteered to contact the “famous angler” and ask for any assistance or influence he could exert as he lived in Home Depot’s home state. Once again, he promptly replied several times to my initial letter and offered to contact the CEO of Home Depot to express his and our concerns.
The ultimate outcome was as good as we could have hoped for, short of the store never opening. I am not discounting the hard work done by the many good people involved in the Home Depot battle however I have to believe the famous angler interceding on our behalf surely did not hurt.
Right now, that “famous angler” is 98 years old and in hospice care in his home in Plains, Georgia. If you didn't figure it out earlier, the famous angler is James Earl Carter Jr., the 39th President of the United States.
I never met the man and I never voted for the man, but this man took time out of his busy schedule to write to some stranger to talk PA fly-fishing and to help us out with the Letort situation.
For that and his overall decency, I will always be thankful and respect him as a man and a fellow Pennsylvania angler.
Godspeed Mr. President...
Around 1984 after a particularly good day of fishing on the Little Lehigh, I was inclined to write a letter about my exploits to a well-known Southern angler who often fly-fished in Pennsylvania.
Even though I did not know this fellow, among other things we shared a love for Leonard bamboo rods. When he retired and relocated, he had the misfortune of having a treasured Leonard rod stolen from him during the move. In my letter, I mentioned this and how despicable I considered the situation.
Possibly, it was the mention of the rod, recounting my fishing experiences or maybe it was just because we both loved fly-fishing in Pennsylvania but a few weeks later, I received a nice reply from him complimenting my skill that I framed for posterity.
Fast forward to a handful of years later and Home Depot was planning to open a store not far from the banks of Letort Spring Run. More than a few folks were concerned about storm water run-off including Cumberland Valley TU, what was left of the Letort Regulars and myself.
I was involved in the fight and volunteered to contact the “famous angler” and ask for any assistance or influence he could exert as he lived in Home Depot’s home state. Once again, he promptly replied several times to my initial letter and offered to contact the CEO of Home Depot to express his and our concerns.
The ultimate outcome was as good as we could have hoped for, short of the store never opening. I am not discounting the hard work done by the many good people involved in the Home Depot battle however I have to believe the famous angler interceding on our behalf surely did not hurt.
Right now, that “famous angler” is 98 years old and in hospice care in his home in Plains, Georgia. If you didn't figure it out earlier, the famous angler is James Earl Carter Jr., the 39th President of the United States.
I never met the man and I never voted for the man, but this man took time out of his busy schedule to write to some stranger to talk PA fly-fishing and to help us out with the Letort situation.
For that and his overall decency, I will always be thankful and respect him as a man and a fellow Pennsylvania angler.
Godspeed Mr. President...
