President's Message - April 2008: "Special Folks"

by Joe Filer, AFF President

Bruce YoungLike many of you, I love getting and reading (typically end to end, several times to make sure I don’t miss ANYTHING) a bunch of fly fishing magazines. One of the things I have noticed a lot recently is a commitment to building awareness of historical contributors to our sport. A whole lot of black and white pictures in some cases!

These are folks whose names are spoken with a certain amount of reverence. For me, the list includes Ted Williams, Joe Brooks, Joe Humphries, Dave Whitlock, Flip Pallot, Lee Wulff, Chico Fernandez and Lefty Kreh. I have enjoyed reading about each of these guys, “seeing” them fish through the wonders of TV, hearing stories from folks that knew them, or even chatting with several. I suspect that many of us have a similar list.

For the uninitiated (like me just 5 short years ago), this is just a list of old or dead fishermen. Each of them shares a life-long dedication to a sport that might seem a little trivial to some. It is, after all, just feathers and fur on a hook! Without them, I am confident in saying that the enjoyment we find today would probably not be possible.

So you are probably asking yourself, “What does all this talk about old guys have to with April and the AFF?”. April seems to be a natural transition (there’s that word again) month that leaves us a little time to reflect and think about some of our own local “trailblazers”, the “old” guys we rely on. Those folks who always seem to be there when you have a question, any question.

I want to dedicate this article to one of those folks in our club who we ALL rely on over and over. Someone who always seems ready to help, teach, and share. Someone I have turned to make me better in many ways.

Bruce Young might not really qualify as an “old guy” (that beard is getting a little more gray every day) but he definitely falls into the category of Special Folks. And, I suspect he is on all of our lists somewhere.

We all know Bruce so I hope my comments here paint a picture that goes beyond what we see every day. From the Tackle Box to the Alamo Heights Presbyterian Church on any given Tuesday night, Bruce seems ALWAYS to be there when you really need him. And, he never seems to be too busy to provide a solid answer. One that you can have complete confidence in every time.

Bruce served as the President of the Alamo Fly Fishers during the years of 1998-1999. He suggests that they were leaner times with fewer folks involved. I do know we would not enjoy the great participation we have today if folks like Bruce had not stepped up and kept things going (before the Movie).

As many of you know, Bruce unselfishly teaches Fly Tying to our members. There always seems to be a class going even when one is not scheduled. I enjoy fly tying today as a very large part of fly fishing thanks to Bruce’s class. I cannot imagine not tying my own flies now or not experiencing the pleasure I get from catching a fish on one of my own.

Every now and then, we even get a chance to fish together. He definitely catches a few here and there. A word of caution is appropriate here: “Do NOT let Bruce walk behind you as it can be a humbling experience”. At least that is what I hear.

So Bruce, I feel comfortable when I write: The Alamo Fly Fishers Say Thanks for All You Do! I
know I appreciate it my friend.

In honor of Bruce’s contributions, let’s celebrate our sport and our heritage by building the next generation of fly fishers. I challenge all of the “old guys” in our club to support one new member by taking them fishing somewhere or showing them how.

As always, take a kid out and share something special.

Be well. Leave a few for the rest of us.

Joe