| To a great man... Bill Poole
I was out fishing on a 15 day when I received the news of Bill's passing so please forgive the lateness of this post.
Bill Poole was a very big influence in my life yet, as with so many of the youngsters growing up fishing short and long range on the Poole line of boats, he really never know how much he and his actions affected our lives.
I was 6 when I started fishing the original Polaris and was both frightened and in awe of Bill. Long before the days of Political Correctness, time outs and other mis-guided concepts Bill ran his boat like all of us should run our lives. There was a right way and a wrong way with no gray areas in between. Of course the right way was Bill's way but in most all area's regarding fishing Bill was the expert. I learned the right way to fish with complete regard for the group rather than the individual. In the old days the concept of losing one fish lead to the loss of the entire school was continually being reinforced by Bill. Thus, one bad knot, one nicked up guide, one bone headed move and my butt was fodder for Bill's or my father's boot. This one lesson alone, though many more were learned, has held me in great stead as I relate to fishing and my fellow fishermen. I may still may make dumb mistakes but the image of those two men always flash before my eyes or in my mind just after I screw up.
I was just one youngster in a long line of youngsters passing under the Errol Flynn watch of Bill Poole. I doubt he knew one of us from another in the early days but we all needed to watch our P's and Q's as we had to prove ourselves each and every time we went out. To this day I still believe I have to earn the respect of my fellow fishermen as well as business associates and friends every time and each day by action and by deed.
I never had the pleasure of getting to know the man personally but I have had the great pleasure of fishing with and chatting about fishing with him for the past many decades. Each and every time I saw him or heard his name spoken I once again became that starry eyed 6 year old looking up to the wheel house deck as Bill surveyed his territory and believe me there was never any doubt about whose territory it was. He was a fixture at the Excel booth during the Fred Hall show and I always looked forward to speaking with him and his lovely wife Ingrid. The next show will not be the same.
Thank you Bill for all your contributions to those adventures I love known as Long and Short range fishing. Our fleet will always be a dedication to your deeds, actions and changes your insight and hard work sculpted.
From one youngster amongst the thousands who have sailed with you I thank you and will miss you and all you represent.
Jamie
| 
Linear Mode
