Michael Dell

[flycaster]

I am shocked and saddened by this news.

My memories of Michael go back some 35+ years when we had our early Edmonton TU meetings.

Back then, Michael would chair the meetings with the usual attendees, Barry White, Martin Paetz, Dave Parker, Lloyd Shea, and myself.

It was a small group...but Michael was always there.

He was the founding father and backbone of TU EDM/NLFT

I will remember him for his generosity, his passion for the sport, the fishery and conservation.

I had hoped to reconnect with him at Barry's Bow river presentation a few weeks ago...sadly he was not there.

My condolences to his family and friends.

I will be thinking of him as I walk the streams this Spring.

[PeterSL]

Received the following from Jim Fox, a longtime friend of Michael, who orhganized the annual conclaves that Michael always looked forward to:

I first met Michael at the 1996 Flyfish@ conclave hosted by Jim Stangowitz at the Hiawatha Campground on the Crowsnest River near Burmis. He came in a 1980 Honda Accord which he bought new and ultimately drove 427,000km, mostly for fly fishing. I was amazed at how he got all of his gear into such a compact car. He came to the conclave quite regularly and was at our most recent event (our 26th) on the Oldman in August 2024. 

 

What I remember best about Michael was how giving he was. There is a long list of fly fishers who owe him for patient mentorship, and I am one of them. He was reserved at first and never got on well with the loud boasting type. It was probably in 2003 when he decided I was OK. We were having a conclave on the North Ram and Michael caught me in a moment alone and asked “You want to fish a little creek with me tomorrow? Only thing is you can’t tell anyone.” I went with him to "Frenchman’s Creek” and we had a spectacular day under bright sun catching beautiful little cutthoats. I never told anyone about that place, though he and I went back several times. What seemed to make him happiest was for you to catch a fish where he suggested or on a fly he gave you. 

 

Michael was among the finest people I have had the pleasure of wetting a line with. Last August at the end of the conclave we discussed getting together more since I am now retired. Now he is gone, I wish I had worked harder to have one last trip with him. His passing leaves a hole in my heart that will never refill. Thankfully, the years we had fishing together gave me so much.

 

Jim

[RangerBob]

SURVEY OF SPORTFISH IN UPPER SUNDANCE CREEK, AUGUST 1996

A very memorable day.

https://friresearch.ca/data/null/FWP_1996_08_TECHRPT_SurveySportfishUpperSundanceCreek.pdf