Tuesday, Jan. 19th, 2010
Fran Betters
I recently learned of the passing of Fran Betters. In a world where many people breathe and dream trout, Fran was a legend. For decades his fly shop was the meeting place for visiting anglers seeking advice on best flies or hot sections of the fabled Ausable River. Fran wrote several books about the region he loved, and his poems will keep his spirit eternal for all who long for the Adirondack experience.
I remember Fran greeting folks as they entered his shop, always eager to tell a joke or stir their excitement with tales of huge trout impatiently waiting to do battle with the next hapless fisherman that invaded their home pool. Fran was a master fly tier, and had a number of locals who helped keep his shop stocked with all the deadly patterns that were guaranteed to fool even the wariest old brown.
I remember doing a "Streamside" Show where Fran was my guest. He took me to one of his favorite sections of the river and would point to some underwater rock that I couldn’t even see and tell me to cast there and expect a strike. And most of the time he was right. People like Fran made it so much easier for me to enjoy those unique fishing areas that I would not have been able to discover as easily on my own. He made the show special, and for that, I will remember him fondly. Fran will indeed be missed, and he will live on in our memories.
Ever dreamed of pursuing large rainbow trout in Alaska? One of the first questions that comes to mind is "
by Matt Labash, whom he calls one of the U.S.'s most underappreciated journalists. As evidence: Labash's ability to find entree with Dick Cheney on the subject of catfish flies.
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