"A River Seen Right" is the title of a book about the North Fork of the Umpqua river that features a lot of stories about the former owner of the Steamboat Inn and true friend of the North Umpqua... Frank Moore.
Now those of you who use weighted flies, lead core line or conventional fishing gear probably do not think much of Mr. Moore especially those that fish the North Fork.
I think Frank Moore is one of the best friends the wild steelhead of the Umpqua ever had.
I met Mr. Moore last Saturday at the Fly Fishing Show in Portland and felt compelled to tell him that I really considered him a hero as far as wild fish and river conservation goes. My friend Don Nelson said he was a dear man! Pretty fitting tribute I would say.
We seem toss around the word "hero" maybe a little too much these days and that is especially true among the angling crowd. Because someone is a good fisherman and catches a lot of fish does not make that angler a hero! Webster's defines a hero as...a man admired for his achievements and noble qualities or one that shows great courage.
I think Frank Moore fits that definition perfectly and Bill Bakke is another. These heroes fought hard for what they believe in and that was the conservation of a precious river and it's wild fish. Had it not been for Mr. Moore the North Umpqua would be just another unremarkable river littered with monofilament and bait containers. He and others went against the conventional wisdom of the times to preserve this jewel among Oregon streams and I have no problem calling him a hero.
Thanks Frank for truly seeing a river right.
Nice post! I can't say I'm quite as big a fan of the current management.
ReplyDeleteA River Seen Right, was one of the most interesting books I have read in a long time. Could not put it down and in some places i would go back and read and re read several chapter. Would love to be able to fish and read the river the way you talked about in the book. One Happy reader. Great Read.
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