Comments on: R.I.P. Jack Gartside – Boston Fly Fishing Icon

By: CaptAJ

CaptAJ — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:29:23 +0000

God Bless Him. WE have so few men who live & die for our sport. Wait until the day of the death of the great Lefty Kreh. Is not the death of Jack Gartside equal as a human and fly fisherman?

By: Jim Timmins

Jim Timmins — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:13:07 +0000

I had the pleasure of meeting Jack quite a few years ago when he agreed to my request to come to New Hampshire, and give a class on some of his saltwater patterns. I recall meeting him at a convenient park and ride, and loading his “stuff” into my vehicle to travel to Contoocook where the class was to be held.

Jack got right to work, and put an end to the typical banter between fishermen, and had us pay strict attention to his instructions. It was a great class, and a lot was learned by all along with some of Jack’s stories.

I recall him telling us of the promotional flight he won to New Zealand by showing up in dress to indicate his destination which was, of course, a renouned trout fishery . I believe he wore shorts and a “down under” hat as part of his garb. He said he borrowed from friends to make the trip, and returned with just change in his pocket. Jack certainly knew how to live.

Another story was about his education to be an English teacher, I believe. After a trial period he said he found it safer to drive cab in Boston than to teach school there.

Jack was a funny guy, an innovative tyer, and a credit to the fly fishing community. He will be missed.

By: Bill Hubbard

Bill Hubbard — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 18:00:41 +0000

I first met and heard Jack when he spoke to Andover Fly Fishers sometime in the 1970s on trout fishing Montana. I didn’t see Jack again until one foggy morning my friend Don Harris and I were fishing Boston Harbor out of Quincy. As we came around one of the smaller islands, I hollared to Don to go out around the buoy at the tip of the gravel spit. Don suggested I look again, that it was a fisherman. Sure enough, as we drifted by, I could make him out and Jack asked how we were doing. We chatted till he suggested we land around the other side. We did and went ashore. After a long chat, Jack suggested several places we could fish in the area. I don’t remember how we did other than that we did catch Stripers that day.

After that, Jack’s tying spot at the Wilmington and Marlboro shows were magnets each winter and we enjoyed seeing and talking with him. I bought all of his books and have today a framed Gurgler under a picture of Boston Harbor Light that I bought from Jack.

In my 3 score and 14 years, I’ve met a number of New England Fishing Greats. Jack is certainly one of them, next to Coot Hall, Bob Pond and Paul Kukonen – folks who immortalized sports fishing in New England.