Wednesday, February 02, 2011

We'll Miss Ya

AS GOOD AS IT GETS
Kind, Gentle, Competent
caught fish & built rods too
 
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.. We can't say much more than has already been said. Ralph Moon has passed on after 85 years on this earth. He enriched us all with his charm, wit, insight, and joy for life and fly fishing.
.. About 18 years ago we became enamored with Ralph's personal rod. A unique taper that allowed us to fish big water with a short rod. It just fit us. At that time it was a 7 1/2', one tip, six weight that seemed to cast itself.
.. During an afternoon session in the basement rod shop I opined that the rod was nearly perfect. Ralph asked what it needed to be better.
.. "The same thing in a 5 weight would knock the socks of all the little fish in the lonely stretches of small waters that we liked to fish," burst from our lips.
.. About a year later the rod was ours, a surprise gift from Ralph. It was now fitted with two tips and cradled in a soft corduroy sleeve that was lovingly hand made by Pat Moon.
.. The rod now casts both tips with the same precision, delicacy, and ease. That's the kind of guy that Ralph was. Thanks again, more than a bunch, Ralph.
.. You can read his newspaper remembrance in the Island Park News. It does barely scratch the surface of this once fine fellow. He lives in our memory and that of may others. We're enriched for having known him.
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